On a day when Australia confirmed a 16-man squad for the two upcoming Tests in Sri Lanka, the final sentence of a statement from head selector George Bailey in the Cricket Australia press release stood out.

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.

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.

Cooper Connolly could have a shot at his Test debut after being named in Australia's squad to tour Sri Lanka later this month.

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.