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

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.

West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly is in the frame for a shock Test debut in Sri Lanka after being given the green light alongside discarded opening batsman Nathan McSweeney for a two-match series on the subcontinent.

Australian selectors have elected to pick a youthful 16-man Test squad for the side's tour of Sri Lanka, which begins later this month.

Nathan McSweeney says Wednesday night’s call from Australian chief selector George Bailey was “a bit nicer” than the last one after being named in the Test squad to tour Sri Lanka weeks after being axed from the Australian team.

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.