Nathan McSweeney has been recalled to Australia’s test squad to tour Sri Lanka less than three weeks after being dropped from the top order.

Australia recalled opener Nathan McSweeney and called up all-rounder Cooper Connolly on Thursday for the first time in a spin-heavy Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Steve Smith captain.

Pat Cummins will miss the tour of Sri Lanka for the birth of his second child, with Steve Smith leading the side in his absence.

Glenn Maxwell's hopes of reviving his test career may be over after the all-rounder missed out on selection in Australia's much-changed squad for the Sri Lanka tour.

Pat Cummins will miss the tour on paternity leave while also nursing an ankle issue that was managed throughout the summer.

Check out the 16-member squad of Australia released by Cricket Australia to feature in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, only on CricTracker.

Steve Smith has been appointed the captain of the Australian cricket team for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The move comes in the wake of Pat Cummins's paternity leave and persistent ankle issue. Cricket Australia confirmed Cummins's condition had been "managed through the summer."

Ultimately, it was a trip to Sydney for nothing, as Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell, another subcontinent specialist who is also in his 30s, were left out of the touring party. Handscomb would have every right to wonder whether something changed in those few days.

Find out why the Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the upcoming Sri Lanka Test tour in 2025, only on Crictracker.

Nathan McSweeney was axed after three Tests, now he is back in Australia's squad with some strong words of endorsement from chief selector George Bailey.