Cooper Connolly on verge of Test debut, set to replace Todd Murphy as Australia eyes Sri Lanka sweep

Todd Murphy could be the unlucky second Test scalp as selectors consider handing out another international debut for the second Test against Sri Lanka. Find out why inside.

Todd Murphy celebrates with Travis Head after taking a catch to dismiss Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. Picture: AFP

Cooper Connolly is strongly in the frame for a baggy green on Thursday as Australian selectors weigh up dropping Todd Murphy to lengthen the tourists’ batting line-up on what is expected to be a dry wicket at Galle International Stadium.

As they did for the first Test, the Aussies will defer finalising an XI until the morning of the match, but captain Steve Smith has ensured the top six will remain the same, leaving very few other realistic changes other than bringing in all-rounder Connolly to bat at No.7 or No.8.

While in theory all-rounder Beau Webster could be omitted, the fact the tourists are bracing for a more challenging batting deck than the one they confronted in the series opener means that it is Victorian off-spinner Murphy who is most in the gun should selectors pull the trigger and unleash 21-year-old West Australian left-arm finger spinner Connolly, who has played just four first-class matches and does not have a wicket in the Sheffield Shield.

Cooper Connolly looks on during an Australia nets session at Galle. Picture: Getty Images

But working in Connolly’s favour is an impressive batting record of three first-class fifties from four matches and the presence of Travis Head, who could complement Nathan Lyon as a second off-spinning option should Murphy be dropped after taking just one wicket in Australia’s innings victory in Galle last week.

Smith said that despite Connolly being an unproven commodity with the ball in first-class cricket, he would be a threat in Asian conditions.

“It’s another batter that bowls more than handy spin and spins the same way as (Matt) Kuhnemann. We’ve got a few that go the same way as Nathan and Todd. Just another option potentially to go the other way,” Smith said on Wednesday before the Aussies trained.

“From what I’ve seen in the nets, he bowls some really good balls. He was pretty consistent where he was bowling in Dubai and in the nets here. That’s kind of all you’ve got to do in these conditions, just try and bowl as many good balls in a good area and let the conditions take over.

“We could make anything work if the conditions suit. I think the beauty of last game, we were able to change the spinners up. When you’ve got three frontline spinners you can sort of change them up whenever someone gets a little tired.”

Todd Murphy could be the man to make way for Cooper Connolly. Picture: Getty Images

Despite the potential for it to prove unsettling, Smith said Australia wanted to make an 11th hour call on its side as the Aussies seek to secure a Test series win on Sri Lankan soil for the first time since 2011.

“We’re going to wait pretty late, see what the wicket looks like. It looked a little bit drier yesterday,” Smith said.

“We’re going to leave it until the last minute.

“It’s possible, all options are on the table. We’re going to leave it late but we’ve got the resources here if we need.”

Despite brief speculation on Tuesday that Marnus Labuschagne could be axed for the clash, Smith backed in his longtime top order ally despite the Queensland skipper being the only member of Australia’s top six not to make a score of note in the first Test.

Marnus Labuschagne is set to keep his spot in the Test XI. Picture: Getty Images

“I can’t see the top six changing, I daresay that’ll be the same,” Smith said.

“I think (Labuschagne is) batting well. I thought he played nicely at the back end of the summer, he looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a little bit more. He’s proactive in the way he was playing.

“He looked good at the start of his innings, his last one here, the ball that he got actually spun a bit from (Sri Lankan leg-spinner Jeffrey) Vandersay.

“The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it’s spinning, the more aggressive you have to be with your batting and the more proactive you have to be.

“I think he understands that, he understands spin and angles as good as anyone. I don’t think he’s far away from a good score.”

Former Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne will play his 100th and final Test in Galle after announcing in recent days that he would retire from the format at the end of the series.