Cooper Connolly. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Australia’s Cooper Connolly stepped in as an opener for the India vs Australia first semi-final clash of the ongoing Champions Trophy. He replaced the injured Matthew Short against India. The young all-rounder’s inclusion has garnered all the attention as he is playing the crucial match of the tournament.
Connolly, however, could not score in the crucial match against India and was caught behind in Mohammed Shami’s over on 0. As for the second innings, the all-rounder dropped Rohit Sharma’s catch but then managed to send the India skipper back to the pavilion for 28 runs.
Cooper Connolly, a 21-year-old all-rounder who bowls right-arm off-break and bats left-handed, was born in Western Australia. Connolly rose through the ranks, thanks to strong domestic cricket performances. He made his Western Australia debut in 2023 and has played for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
Connolly’s career
A remarkable showing in Australia’s local circuit marked the beginning of Connolly’s adventure, and he was soon selected for the national squad. In January 2023, he made his T20 debut for the Perth Scorchers, displaying his batting ability with a string of powerful hits.
Selectors took notice of Connolly’s steady Big Bash League performances and included him in Australia’s white-ball teams. In cricket, Connolly played his first Test match against Sri Lanka in February 2025 after making his ODI debut against England in September 2024. Despite his youth, Connolly is making his debut as an opener for Australia in international cricket.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 3 | 10 | 10 | 31.25 |
| BBL | 25 | 577 | 38.46 | 136.72 |
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Economy Rate | Best Figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBL | 25 | 12 | 7.27 | 3/25 |
Connolly has kept his promise as a bowler in T20 cricket, taking 12 wickets in 27 games at an average of 26.16, with top statistics of 3/25. His ability to regulate the run flow is demonstrated by his economy rate of 7.47 in the shortest format.
But since he has not taken a wicket in ODIs, Tests, or T20Is, his influence with the ball in international cricket has been minimal.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and perspective. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the details thoughtfully and draw their own conclusions.
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