‘It doesn’t look great’: Kuhnemann in doubt for Sri Lanka tour after nasty injury

The good news for Kuhnemann is the injury is on his non-bowling hand but there is certainly doubt over his availability for the tour. A decision will be made by medical staff after surgery is completed.
Cricket Australia was contacted for comment.
Heat and Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne said the news did not look good.
“I just heard about Matt Kuhnemann, so that’s pretty bad,” Labuschagne told AAP after the match. “Thumb … it doesn’t look great. I really feel for him.”
“It’s someone I’m close to and he’s grown so much with his bowling and in Sri Lanka, he’s probably one of the first picked over there. I’m really gutted.”
Loading
Australia already have off-spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy at their disposal for two Tests in Sri Lanka, starting on January 29 and February 6.
If Kuhnemann can’t play in Sri Lanka, Cooper Connolly’s chances of a Test debut will increase significantly, given his ability to bowl left-arm spin and turn the ball away from right-handers.
Australian selectors could be forced to call up a leg-spinner in Kuhnemann’s potential absence, with Tanveer Sangha and Mitch Swepson looming as options.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Ashton Agar is another option.
Seven trumps Fox Sports for Sri Lanka broadcast rights
Fox Sports’ commitment to broadcasting international Test cricket is under a cloud after Seven secured exclusive rights for Australia’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Cricket fans will be able to watch Australia’s two Tests against Sri Lanka in Galle, starting on January 29 and February 6, as well as two one-day internationals on free-to-air television after Fox lost out in broadcast negotiations.
David Warner bats for Australia during Australia’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2022. Credit: Getty Images
It is the first time an Australian Test tour of the subcontinent will be shown live on free-to-air television. It is also the first time a non-Ashes Test has been shown on free-to-air since 1997, when Seven broadcast a series between Australia and South Africa.
Fox, who televise Tests in Australia alongside Seven, has been a long-standing broadcaster of overseas Tests for the past three decades. Matches are usually shown on Fox’s streaming platform Kayo Sports.
The pay-TV network broadcast the last Australian Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2022, saying in a statement at the time that it, “continues our commitment to showcasing the very best of international cricket”.
Fox Sports won’t broadcast Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka. Credit: LinkedIn
Following the success of this summer, with Australia regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Fox were eager to show the two Tests and two one-day internationals in Sri Lanka but lost out to Seven.
Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley declined to comment.
Seven Network’s head of cricket, Joel Starcevic, said in a statement: “What this summer has shown us is that Australians absolutely love their cricket, and we cannot wait to deliver even more action as Australia takes on Sri Lanka.
“The addition of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka cements Seven and 7plus Sport as the undisputed home of cricket.
“Before we head to Sri Lanka to witness Steve Smith claim his 10,000th Test run as he captains the Aussie side, this weekend marks a thrilling conclusion to the BBL regular season, setting the stage for a nail-biting race to the final on Monday, 27 January.”
Seven’s coup over Fox ends the potential of a broadcast back hole for Australian fans. The last time that happened for an overseas Australian Test series was in 1994 against Pakistan.
Seven have broadcast Australian Tests in England and South Africa but never on the subcontinent.
Loading
In a statement, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said: “The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series captivated the nation this summer with record crowds and viewership. It’s great that Australian fans will be able to watch the team again so soon in what is sure to be another compelling series in Sri Lanka.”
Amazon has exclusive broadcast rights for the World Test Championship final later this year between Australia and South Africa at Lord’s in June. Amazon will show all ICC events to Australian audiences until 2027. Channel 9 will show the 2027 and 2031 Ashes series in the UK.
A broadcaster has not been officially locked in for Australia’s three-Test tour of the West Indies in June and July.