'I couldn't sit still' - Cooper Connolly recalls jazzed maiden Australia call-up

Australia had a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 as they were ousted from the Super 8 stages, courtesy of losses against Afghanistan and India. Several former cricketers demanded a revamp in the selection of the shortest format of the game, pushing youngsters to take centre stage. In the wake of such scrutiny, Cricket Australia announced the team for the white-ball tour to the United Kingdom.

The tour to England and Scotland will see Jake Fraser McGurk’s entry into the ODI squad who impressed with his performance in BBL and IPL 2024. In the T20I setup, Cooper Connolly will be bracing to make in his international debut. The 20-year-old dazzled with a quickfire 25 off 11 for Perth scorcher in BBL 2023. With just experience of 15 T20s in the domestic circuit, Connolly expressed he is keen on learning from the likes of Travis Head.

"I couldn't sit still, I was walking around the for about 10-15 minutes, it was such a surreal moment. It's nice to have done a few things with a great team (at WA and the Scorchers), and it obviously gives me some confidence. But I've never experienced this level (international cricket) so, it'll be nice to learn off some of the guys that are going, some quality players including, the likes of Travis Head. I'll get (over) there, get learning, and hopefully, if I get my opportunity, I'll make the most of it," Connolly was quoted as saying by Crickte.com.au.

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Connolly’s work through middle order for Scorchers has been really impressive: Bailey

Connolly led the Australis Under-19 team to the title win thwarting India in the final and the batter has played all around the world giving him have sense of the impending challenges. Moreover, the southpaw even scored 90 against Tasmania earlier this year. Australia’s national selector, George Bailey highlighted a similar aspect in picking Connolly and predicted him to take the finisher mantle going forward.

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"His work through the middle order for the Scorchers has been really impressive, and (he bowls) handy left-arm spin as well. For Cooper, that ability to bat from four to seven, we find it's a challenging spot to find and maintain players through that area," said Bailey.

"If you look at our T20 team over the past, we've had Matty Wade and Marcus Stoinis, two guys that have had a lot of success at the top, and they've been able to create really good careers through becoming finishers in that Australian side. I think Cooper's got that ability to be able to do something similar, and that's where he's had the majority of his opportunities, and that's where we've liked the skill set that he's provided," he concluded.