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Photograph: (Source: The New Indian Express)
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In the Champions Trophy semi-final against India and Australia, Cooper Connolly will open for Australia in place of Matthew Short, who is injured. The youthful all-rounder wants to make an impression in one of the most important games of his career, thus his participation has drawn notice.
However, Connolly was caught behind in Mohammed Shami's over on 0 and was unable to score in the pivotal match against India. In the second innings, the all-rounder sent the India captain back to the pavilion for 28 runs after dropping Rohit Sharma's catch.
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 up 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.
Cooper Connolly Grabs Eyeballs:
The passion of Cooper Connolly 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PV0b4nPDeq
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 4, 2025
Connolly's journey began with an impressive performance on Australia's local circuit, and he was quickly chosen for the national team. He made his T20 debut for the Perth Scorchers in January 2023, showcasing his batting prowess with a series of strong smashes.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 3 | 10 | 10 | 31.25 |
| BBL | 25 | 577 | 38.46 | 136.72 |
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 | Wickets | Economy Rate | Best Figure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBL | 25 | 12 | 7.27 | 3/25 |
Cooper Connolly's ability as a multi-format player is demonstrated by his batting statistics. He has been especially effective in T20 cricket, amassing 577 runs at an average of 38.46 and a strike rate of 136.72 in 27 games. Connolly has amassed 117 runs in 9 games in the 50-over format (List A) while keeping his strike rate at 75.00.
With best stats of 3/25 and 12 wickets at an average of 26.16 in 27 games, Connolly has fulfilled his promise as a bowler in T20 cricket. His economy rate of 7.47 in the shortest format demonstrates his ability to control the run flow. However, his impact with the ball in international cricket has been limited because he has not claimed a wicket in ODIs, Tests, or T20Is.
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