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.

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.

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.

Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled a 16-player squad for the upcoming two-Test away series against Sri Lanka, set to begin on January 29. This will be Australia's final red-ball series before they go to England to face South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.

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.

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

Steven Smith will captain in the two Tests with Pat Cummins remaining at home for the birth of his second child and to manage an ankle injury

Nathan McSweeney will be named to return to Australia's Test squad for Sri Lanka, while spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy are expected to join him.