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Steve Smith says he asked for Cooper Connolly in the Test squad after seeing Jadeja and Axar bowl together for India.
Steve Smith gave Ravindra Jadeja’s example to Australia.(AP)
Steve Smith gave Australia’s decision-makers the examples of Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel to persuade them to give 21-year-old batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly his maiden Test call-up for the upcoming two Tests against Sri Lanka.
Smith said he wanted a left-arm spinner in the team having seen Jadeja and Axar operate for India in the sub-continent. He said he liked the combination where the team had two spinners for turning the ball each way, where they can back up each other when the pitches go flat or the tempo is helping run-making.
“I had a little chat to Ron and Dodders (coach Andrew McDonald and selector Tony Dodemaide) in here after the game,” Smith said on Friday at the SCG ahead of his BBL return for the Sixers.
“I was quite big on someone like Cooper coming in, to be able to spin the ball the other way. You watch India, they have Axar (Patel) and Ravindra Jadeja, [so] when a spinner gets tired or nothing’s happening they can turn to another spinner. I like the fit, having a couple of spinners going each way, it matches up really nicely. He’s a talented young kid and every opportunity he’s got he’s done really well,” Smith added.
Australia have Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann as Todd Murphy as first-choice spin options while Travis Head, Smith himself, Marnus Labuschagne and Beau Webster can all tweak the wrists.
Connolly has only played four First-Class matches, scoring 309 runs at an average of 61.80 but has no wickets to his name from 16 overs. He has bowled a lot in T20s though and has nine wickets at an average of 28.44 to show for it.
Earlier in the day, Connolly said he’d take inspiration from his previous experience in India to utilise his bowling for the team’s benefit.
“I feel like my bowling is pretty high at the moment. I like to think it is. That’s something that will get me in teams around the world and hopefully more opportunities for Australia. Think my bowling’s come a long way in the last 18 months so I’m happy with where it’s at,” he said, as quoted by IANS.
“Some exposure (at the international level) has been quite nice; I’ve also been on the MRF tour in India, which has been really beneficial for my cricket in spinning conditions. I’m ready to go over there and perform. I’ve been picked for a reason so I’ve just got to go over there and embrace it and learn as much as I can.”
The two Tests will be played at the Galle International Stadium, starting on January 29.
