Australia sticks with quicks for Sri Lanka opener

Australia’s Glenn Maxwell bats during a practice session at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo ahead of their two Tests, three T20s and five one day international series against Sri Lanka. (AFP)

• The visitors recall pacer Kane Richardson for the first match of the T20 series Australia have recalled fast bowler Kane Richardson for today’s T20 series opener against Sri Lanka and stuck with the three-pronged pace formula that won them their first World Cup last year. Richardson was selected ahead of namesake Jhye Richardson to replace rested Pat Cummins and join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the attack in Colombo. Captain Aaron Finch said selectors had considered picking second spinner Mitchell Swepson to partner Ashton Agar but went with pace after seeing the pitch. “It’s not a dry surface by any stretch,” Finch told reporters yesterday. “There hasn’t been a huge amount of cricket here, and with it being the wet season the wickets are under covers a lot more.” All-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, along with batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith, have been recalled after missing home matches against Sri Lanka in February and a one-off match against Pakistan in April. Smith’s place in the team is under scrutiny, with classy wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis waiting in the wings. Finch backed Smith to continue his floating role as a “Mr Fix-it” in the order while conceding that Inglis was unlucky to miss out. “He’ll definitely get an opportunity,” Finch said of Inglis, citing the quick turnaround between the three T20s and then the five one-day internationals. Australia, who will defend their T20 World Cup title on home soil in four months, start the series without head coach Andrew McDonald on site after his positive test for Covid-19. However, Finch said he has had plenty of contact with McDonald. “A lot of that (coaching) is done pre-tour,” said Finch. “But I have spoken to him a lot about how we’re going to structure the team and how we want it to look over the next couple of months leading into that World Cup.” Meanwhile, Australian Ben Sawyer has been appointed head coach of the New Zealand women’s cricket team, the country’s cricket board (NZC) said yesterday. The 42-year old replaced Robert Carter, who stepped down in March following New Zealand’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup. “I see a lot of potential in this White Ferns group and I feel really optimistic about helping to untap that potential, so they can take their cricket to the next level,” Sawyer, who also coaches Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, said. Sawyer was part of the coaching team that guided Australia to the 50-over World Cup title this year, along with Matthew Mott, who was named head coach of the England men’s limited-overs side last month. “He (Sawyer)’s been a key figure in the ongoing success of the Australian women’s team and we hope we can tap into that bank of experience and grow together as a team,” New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said. “The upcoming Commonwealth Games campaign in Birmingham and the tour to West Indies will be really helpful in that regard.” Cricket is returning to the Commonwealth Games after a 24-year absence with a women’s Twenty20 tournament. The Games will be held from July 28-Aug. 8 in Birmingham, England. Australia Tour Of Sri Lanka 1st T20I, June 7-    Colombo 2nd T20I, June 8-  Colombo 3rd T20I, June 11-  Pallakele 1st ODI, June 14-   Pallakele 2nd ODI, June 16- Pallakele 3rd ODI, June 19- Colombo 4th ODI, June 21- Colombo 5th ODI, June 24- Colombo 1st Test, June 29-July 3-  Galle 2nd Test, July 8-12-  Galle