Maxwell does not make the Australian selection for the Sri Lanka series.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) — Glenn Maxwell’s prospects of restoring his test career may have faded when he was left out of Australia’s much-changed team for the Sri Lanka tour.

Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder, has also been left out of the team, which will be led by Steve Smith, after being omitted for the fifth test against India in Sydney due to a poor run with the bat.

Instead, selectors have added uncapped all-rounder Cooper Connolly to the list of spin options, alongside Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, and Matthew Kuhnemann.

Batter Nathan McSweeney, who was discarded mid-series against India after struggling as an opener, has been reinstated to the 16-man lineup announced on Thursday for the two-test series beginning in Galle on January 29.

“We are excited about the opportunity ahead for the squad members who are at the start of their test careers to continue to grow their games in subcontinent conditions where we have a number of important tours in coming years,” the selection committee’s George Bailey stated.

Regular skipper Pat Cummins is on paternity leave and is focused on an ankle ailment he suffered against India, while pace mainstay Josh Hazlewood was left out as he recovers from a calf injury that sidelined him during the Indian series.

Teenage opener Sam Konstas and all-rounder Beau Webster have been kept in the team after making strong test debuts against India.

Uncapped quickly. Sean Abbott joins Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as pace options.

Australia, which defeated India 3-1, has already secured their spot in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.