(IANS Photo)
Australia is gearing up for a white-ball series in the United Kingdom this September, where they will face Scotland and England. Chief selector George Bailey unveiled a 15-man squad led by Mitchell Marsh, with the exciting inclusion of 20-year-old Cooper Connolly earning his maiden call-up for the T20I matches on the tour.
Connolly’s cricket journey is marked by a memorable milestone at Optus Stadium during the 2023 Big Bash League (BBL) final, where over 50,000 fans cheered vibrantly. However, his path to that moment began quietly three years earlier at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa. This modest venue, located 20 kilometres east of Johannesburg, witnessed a defining chapter in the career of the young left-hander from Perth.
With the crowd barely reaching three figures that day, it was a stark contrast to the electrifying atmosphere of the BBL final. However, for the 16-year-old Connolly at that time, the stakes were equally monumental. His unexpected opportunity came when Jake Fraser-McGurk had to exit the tournament following an unfortunate incident involving a monkey scratch. Connolly, thrust onto the world stage, seized this moment with both hands.
During the final match of the 2020 men’s Under-19 World Cup, Connolly showcased his talent with a rapid half-century off just 47 balls against the West Indies. This innings foreshadowed his ability to perform under pressure, a characteristic that would define his career in the years ahead.
Over the next four years, Connolly’s skill became pivotal in leading the Perth Scorchers to their historic fifth men’s Big Bash title and contributing to Western Australia’s three consecutive Sheffield Shield triumphs. His journey from a promising teenager to a seasoned performer on the grand stage culminated in his recent selection for Australia’s T20 squad for the upcoming UK tour, marking his debut in international cricket.
The call from national selector Tony Dodemaide was a “surreal moment” for Connolly. “I couldn’t sit still, I was walking around the for about 10-15 minutes, it was such a surreal moment,” Connolly told cricket.com.au.
Despite his success with the Scorchers and WA, Connolly admits that he is venturing into uncharted territory. “I’ve never experienced this level (international cricket), so it’ll be nice to learn from some of the guys going, some quality players including the likes of Travis Head,” he said.
“I’ll get (over) there, get learning and hopefully, if I get my opportunity, I’ll make the most of it.”
Despite his limited top-level experience, having played only 15 games since his BBL debut in January last year, Cooper Connolly has showcased remarkable adaptability. His exposure to diverse conditions, including captaining Australia at the 2022 U19 World Cup in the West Indies and touring India, has bolstered his credentials.
Connolly’s ability to handle pressure shone brightly during the BBL 12 final against Brisbane Heat, where his unbeaten 25 off 11 balls tilted the match in the Scorchers’ favor. This knack for performing in critical moments has earned him a reputation as a dependable middle-order finisher, a role previously held by seasoned players like Matty Wade and Marcus Stoinis.
As he gears up for the UK tour, Connolly remains humble and focused on continuous improvement. Despite being just 20 years old, he understands there is much more to learn and achieve. “I’m seizing every opportunity because I want to give myself the best chance to represent my country in any role required,” he remarked. While he aspires to open the batting, he acknowledges the importance of excelling in his current middle-order role, where he has already shown promise.
“I found my way a little bit towards the back end of the Big Bash last season at six and worked out how to play that role a bit better. I still want to open the batting, it’s quite a good spot to be.
“It’s just going to take some time and it was something new to me, I haven’t had that much exposure or experience with it so over time I’ll hopefully get better and maybe get some opportunities in coming years.”
When reflecting on his journey, Connolly often looks back to February 2020 in Benoni, a pivotal moment that ignited his rapid ascent. His standout performance at just 16 years old in that tournament served as a crucial confidence boost, setting the stage for his future achievements.
“That tournament doesn’t feel long ago at all,” he said. “I made (64 off 53 balls) at 16 years of age which was a real confidence booster for myself, I thought I could potentially make it to the next level.
“It was strange circumstances that I got the opportunity and I just tried to make the most of it as much as I could. It’s always nice to have in the back of your mind but then again I was 16 at the first one and 18 at the last one, there’s so much growth that has happened between then and now.
“And I feel like there’s so much more growth I can give to my cricketing ability and hopefully I can show some of my talent if that opportunity presents (in the UK).
“It’s pretty surreal to be saying that I could be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of these guys, it won’t feel real for the first bit but hopefully I can settle in … have some fun and see what happens.”
Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
