Australia have received a boost ahead of next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann cleared to join the squad for the two-Test tour.
Nineteen-year-old Victorian batsman Oliver Peake, an Australian representative at under-19 level, has also been added to the touring party.
Kuhnemann, who has played just three Tests for Australia so far in his career, suffered a dislocated thumb playing for Brisbane Heat in a five-wicket loss against the Hobart Hurricanes last Thursday.
The 28-year-old was taken to hospital and had his thumb put back into place then had surgery the following day to put a pin in the fracture.
He has since made a rapid recovery and will join his Australian teammates in camp after successfully batting, bowling and fielding on Thursday in a session in Brisbane.
“I think it was more about just ticking off the boxes each day this week, and so far it’s gone to plan,” Kuhnemann said on Thursday.
“I’m hoping so, but nothing’s come out yet. I’ll probably speak to the medical team this afternoon. My bowling, batting and fielding has gone excellent so far. So I’ll just relay that message.
“There’s a bit of a time zone difference and hopefully, I can get on the plane over there.
“I’m feeling really good, really grateful with how it sort of progressed in the last week. It’s healed really well, and the surgery went excellent.
“Very fortunate and lucky so far that I’m sort of in a position to be able to bowl and bat and catch a few balls. Everything’s gone to plan so far. There’s not much pain at all any more, and no pain bowling and batting.”
He was not worried about re-injuring his thumb in the field if selected for Wednesday’s opening match of the series.
“No, not at all,” Kuhnemann said.
“That’s cricket in general. Balls have been hit back at me a lot harder, and I’ve been fine. So this is one of those freak incidents that it’s hit probably the exact spot it had to for it to cause some damage. I’ve already caught some balls. Andy Bichel’s already thrown some balls back at me straight away, so there’s no problem with that.”
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