Matthew Paul Kuhnemann, a gifted left-arm orthodox spinner who has emerged as a key determine in Australian cricket has earned a spot within the squad for the ICC World Take a look at Championship (WTC) closing in opposition to South Africa in June 2025.
All you must learn about Matthew Kuhnemann
Youth and background
Kuhnemann was born on September 20, 1996, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He grew up on the Gold Coast, the place his ardour for cricket started to take form. Raised in a supportive household, he attended The Southport Faculty and excelled in cricket. In 2014, he led his faculty to a First XI GPS Premiership, a second he nonetheless considers a spotlight of his junior profession.
He began taking part in cricket on the age of 10 and made his first-grade debut for the Gold Coast Dolphins at 17. His left-arm orthodox spin, developed via Queensland’s junior pathways, earned him a spot within the Australia Underneath-19 crew that toured Sri Lanka in 2014. A devoted scholar of the sport, he stood out for his wristy motion and aggressive spirit, which laid a powerful basis for his skilled profession.
Home and BBL profession
Kuhnemann’s home profession started with a rookie contract from Queensland for the 2016–17 season. He made his Listing A debut for the Cricket Australia XI within the 2017–18 JLT One-Day Cup, the place he took the wicket of Kurtis Patterson. His first-class debut for Queensland got here in February 2021, adopted by regular performances within the Sheffield Protect.
Within the Huge Bash League (BBL), Kuhnemann made his debut for the Brisbane Warmth in 2019, taking two wickets. By BBL 13, he had turn out to be a key participant, claiming 9 wickets and incomes reward because the crew’s most economical bowler throughout their championship-winning season. Now representing Tasmania, he has taken 18 wickets in six first-class matches this season, reinforcing his repute as a subcontinental specialist identified for tight, disciplined spells.
Additionally READ: South Africa announces 15-man squad for the WTC 2025 final against Australia
Worldwide breakthrough
Kuhnemann made his worldwide debut in June 2022 throughout an ODI in opposition to Sri Lanka, the place he took two wickets in Pallekele. His Take a look at debut got here in February 2023 throughout Australia’s tour of India, stepping in after Mitchell Swepson returned house. In Indore, he delivered a match-winning efficiency with figures of 5 for 16, dismissing Virat Kohli as his first Take a look at wicket—a career-defining second.
Regardless of present process thumb surgical procedure in 2025, Kuhnemann performed a pivotal position in Australia’s 2–0 Take a look at collection victory in Sri Lanka. He took 16 wickets at a mean of 17.18, together with a 5 for 63 in Galle. His sturdy type earned him choice within the ICC World Take a look at Championship closing squad in opposition to South Africa in June 2025. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon praised Kuhnemann’s “distinctive” bowling, which considerably boosted his confidence. With 25 Take a look at wickets in simply 5 matches, Kuhnemann has established himself as a helpful asset in Australia’s bowling lineup.
Suspected motion controversy
Kuhnemann, the Australian left-arm spinner, confronted scrutiny over his bowling motion in the course of the 2025 Take a look at collection in opposition to Sri Lanka. Regardless of main the collection with 16 wickets at a mean of 17.18, match officers reported his motion as probably unlawful. This was the primary time his motion had been questioned in his skilled profession since 2017. Following the report, Kuhnemann underwent biomechanical testing on the Nationwide Cricket Centre in Brisbane. The evaluation confirmed that his elbow extension remained inside the 15-degree tolerance permitted by ICC laws, deeming his motion authorized.
Kuhnemann expressed confidence in his motion and appreciated the clear {and professional} method by which the testing course of was carried out. Cricket Australia and crew officers additionally supported him, emphasizing that the scrutiny was a part of a good and constant course of. Whereas the end result was optimistic, the incident raised questions in regards to the consistency of motion reporting and testing procedures throughout worldwide cricket.
Additionally READ: Australia unveil full-strength squad for WTC 2025 final against South Africa
