Kuhnemann Attributes Tasmania Move to His Return in Australia's Test Squad
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New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Australia's left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has attributed his relocation to Tasmania in the domestic cricket scene as the key factor in securing his recall to the Test team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
Kuhnemann had participated in three Tests during the tour of India in early 2023, even achieving a five-wicket haul. However, he faced challenges afterward, finishing the 2023/24 Sheffield Shield season without any appearances, as Queensland opted for leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson as their primary spinner.
Consequently, Kuhnemann made the decision to transfer to Tasmania before the 2024/25 season, participating in six Sheffield Shield matches and taking 18 wickets—nine of which were at his new home ground in Hobart, a venue known for being tough on spinners.
This impressive performance prompted the Australian selectors to include Kuhnemann in the squad for the two-match tour of Sri Lanka, where he will join the spin unit alongside Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Corey Rocchiccioli.
"I made some sacrifices by moving to Tasmania, and I’m incredibly thankful to Tasmania for providing me this opportunity. It’s interesting how cricket evolves; if you had told me a few years back that I would be in Tasmania then touring with the Australian team to Sri Lanka, I would have been ecstatic," Kuhnemann shared with The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday.
As he prepares for the Sri Lanka tour, Kuhnemann plans to utilize his experiences from playing in India. He believes that he and Connolly can coexist in the same playing XI at Galle.
"We bring different styles of bowling—while we are both left-arm orthodox bowlers, I tend to bowl a bit squarer. There are various technical aspects I can draw from my initial trip to India, but more importantly, it's about managing the pressure from the crowd and expectations off the field," he added.
"The key was sticking to my role without overcomplicating things; certain conditions favor you, so it's crucial to be as precise as possible. I'm pleased with how my bowling is progressing and my overall game," he concluded.
