Xtra Time Web Desk: Australian team management has sent an SOS to Brisbane Heats left arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann to join the squad in Delhi ahead of the second test match. Kuhnemann is called because leg spinner Mitchell Swepson is flying back for the birth of his first child.
Swepson was overlooked for the first Test, which India won by an innings and 132 runs, and will now fly back to Brisbane to be with his pregnant fiancée, Jess. It opens the door for Kuhnemman who can potentially make his test debut.
Kuhnemann rose to prominence in 2019 BBL on his debut for Brisbane Heats. He impressed for the Heat over the proceeding seasons and earnt a Sheffield Shield debut with Queensland in February 2021. Then in 2022, Kuhnemann was called up to the Australian ODI squad for their tour of Sri Lanka, taking six wickets in his four matches during the tour.
Meanwhile, there is good news in the Australian camp as all-rounder Cameron Green is recovering from a finger injury. The allrounder’s return could allow them to pick a third spinner along with Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy if conditions suit.
It appears unlikely that left arm pace Mitchell Starc, who will link up with the squad in Delhi after his own finger injury, is fit for second Test. Another pacer Josh Hazzlewood is also running out of time to get fully fit for the second test match.
Matthew Renshaw, meanwhile, is carrying a knee concern, meaning the Aussies will be sweating even harder on Green’s availability to bat in the middle order.