Who Is Cooper Connolly? The Rising Star Replacing Matthew Short In IND Vs AUS Semi-Final

Cooper Connolly has been named as the replacement for Matthew Short in the IND vs AUS Champions Trophy semi-final. The young all-rounder will open for Australia in one of the biggest matches of his career. His inclusion has sparked curiosity among cricket fans eager to see his performance on the international stage.

Cooper Connolly replaces Matthew Short in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
He is a left-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler.
Has played for Perth Scorchers in BBL.
Made ODI debut in 2024 and Test debut in 2025.
A rising star in Australian cricket.

Who is Cooper Connolly?

Born in Western Australia, Cooper Connolly is a 21-year-old all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-break. He gained recognition in domestic cricket, making his debut for Western Australia in 2023. Connolly is also a key player for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL).

Cooper Connolly’s Cricket Journey

Connolly first made headlines with his outstanding performances in Australia’s domestic circuit. His consistency earned him a place in Perth Scorchers’ squad for the BBL 2023 season, where he showcased his batting prowess.

His impressive form led to his selection in Australia’s white-ball squad. He made his ODI debut against England in September 2024 and played his first Test match against Sri Lanka in February 2025. Now, in a crucial moment for Australia, he has been promoted to open the innings for the first time in international cricket.

Cooper Connolly’s Batting Stats

Connolly has shown great potential across different formats:

In T20 cricket, Connolly has been exceptional, scoring 577 runs in 25 matches at a strike rate of 136.72. In 50-over cricket (List A), he has 117 runs in 9 matches, maintaining a strike rate of 75.00.

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Cooper Connolly’s Bowling Stats

Although Connolly is primarily known for his batting, he also contributes with the ball.

Connolly has taken 12 wickets in 25 BBL matches, with best figures of 3/25. However, he has yet to take a wicket in ODIs, Tests, or T20Is.

Why Is Cooper Connolly’s Inclusion Important?

Young Talent: Connolly represents the next generation of Australian cricket.
Batting Depth: His ability to open adds flexibility to the Australian batting lineup.
Big Match Opportunity: Playing in a Champions Trophy semi-final is a massive test for his skills and temperament.

Connolly’s selection brings excitement to Australia’s campaign. Cricket fans will be watching closely as he steps up to the challenge in one of the biggest matches of his young career.

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