Australia’s cricketing future looks bright with the emergence of talented young players, and 21-year-old Cooper Connolly is no exception. As Cricket Australia (CA) unveiled their 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting on January 29 at Galle International Stadium, Connolly’s inclusion marks a milestone in his promising career.

Here are the lesser-known facts about Cooper Connolly

1. A rising star born on August 22, 2003

Connolly was born on August 22, 2003, marking the beginning of a journey that would see him ascend through the ranks of Australian cricket. At just 21 years old, Connolly is already making waves as a versatile player in ??various formats of the g??ame.

2. A dual threat: Left-handed batter and bowler

Connolly is a left-handed batter and a left-arm off-spin bowler, a rare combination that makes him a valuable asset to any team. His abilit??y to contribute both with the bat a??nd the ball underscores his all-rounder potential.

3. Western Australia’s pride

Connolly represents Western Au??stralia in interstate cricket, showcasing his skills in domestic tournaments??. His consistent performances at the state level have been instrumental in earning him recognition on the national stage.

Also READ: Big blow for Austral??ia as Pat Cummins�?participation in Champions Trophy 2025 doubtf??ul

4. A key player for Perth Scorchers

In the Big Bash League (BBL), Connolly plays for the Perth Scorchers, one of the most s??uccessful franchises in the league. His contributions in the BBL highlight his adaptability and flair in the shortest format of the game.

5. Leadership at a young age: Captain of Australia’s U-19 team

In January 2022, Connolly was appointed captain of the Australian U-19 cricket team f?or the 2022 U-19 Cricket World Cup. His leadership skills were evident as he guided the young team on the global stage.

6. A natural leader for Western Australia’s U-17 team

Before captaining Australia’s U-19 team, Connolly led Western Australia’s U-17 tea??m, further p?roving his aptitude for leadership and his ability to inspire teammates from a young age.

7. A memorable List A debut

Connolly made his List A debut for Western Australia on September 24, 2023, in the Marsh One Day Cup against Queensland. His debut performance was a? stepping stone to further opportunities in profes??sional cricket.

8. A first-class debut to remember

On March 21, 2024, Connolly made his first-class debut for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield Final against Tasmania. He impressed with a remarkable 90-run knock in the first innings, signaling his readine??ss for high-pressure games.

9. Selection for Australia’s T20I squad

Connolly’s growing reputation earned him a spot in Australia’s T20I squad for their tour of England and Scotland in July 2024. Thi??s selection marked his t??ransition from domestic cricket to the international arena.

10. Dual International debuts in 2024

Connolly made his T20I debut against Scotland on September 7, 2024, and later his ODI debut against England on September 29, 2024. The??se milestone??s reflect his rapid rise and adaptability across formats.

Also READ: Ri??cky Ponting identifies Australia’s next big challenge after their BGT 2024-25 series triumph against India

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Cricket Australia (CA) has revealed their 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on January 29 at the Galle International Stadium. This series holds significant importance as it marks Australia’s final red-ball assignment before the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final later this year.

The squad reflects strategic planning, focusing on subcontinental conditions with a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging talent. Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches, especially in Galle, are expected to pose a challenging environment for the visiting Australians, and the squad com?position underscores their preparation for this challenge.

Key absences and leadership changes

Australia will head into this series without their regular captain, Pat Cummins, who is staying back in Sydney to support his wife, Becky, as they await the birth of their second child. Cummins also manages an ankle injury that hindered him during the home summer. In his absence, the experienced Steve Smith has been entrusted with the captaincy duties. Smith’s leadership and batting prowess are expected to pro??vide stability in a challenging series.

Another high-profile omission is Mitchell Marsh, the versatile all-rounder who played a crucial role in Australia’s recent victories. Marsh’s absence raises questions about Australia’s middle-order depth, though the selectors have shown faith in their younger options. Josh Hazlewood, who sustained a calf injury during the India series, has also been rested. This decision allows Hazlewood time to fully recover and prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy, emphasizing Cricket Australia’s long-term approach to player fitness and workload management.

Also READ: Sahiba Ba??li reveals crush on Pat Cummins; Australia cap?tain responds with grace

New faces and recalls

The squad sees the inclusion of Cooper Connolly, a 21-year-old all-rounder making his first appearance in the Test setup. Connolly’s left-handed batting and left-arm spin make him a valuable asset on Sri Lanka’s spinning tracks. His inclusion reflects the selectors’ intention to groom young talent capable of excelling in challenging overseas conditions. Connolly’s performances in domestic cricket have showcased his potential, and this series provides him with an excellent opportunity to transition into international cricket.

Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped after the first three Tests against India, makes a return to the squad. McSweeney’s recall highlights the selectors’ belief in his ability to adapt and contribute at the highest level. He will join forces with Sam Konstas, the fearless 19-year-old opener who impressed selectors during the home series against India. Konstas’ aggressive approach and fearless attitude at the crease have made him a promising prospect for Australia’s top order. Both players will be eager to cement their spots in the squad with strong performances in Sri Lanka.

Focus on spin

With spin expected to dominate proceedings in Galle, Australia have stacked their squad with specialist spinners. Nathan Lyon, the team’s most experienced bowler, will lead the spin attack. Lyon’s consistency and ability to extract turn on subcontinental pitches make him a key player in Australia’s strategy. Supporting him are Matt Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy, who have both shown promise in the?? limited opportunities they have received at the internatio?nal level.

Kuhnemann’s ability to bowl with precision and Murphy’s knack for extracting sharp turn will complement Lyon’s experience, giving Australia a formidable spin-bowling unit. The trio’s success will be crucial in curbing Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, which is well-versed in exploiting home conditions. The selectors’ decision to bolster the spin department reflects an acknowledgment of the importance of controlling the middle overs and exploiting pitch conditions to their advantage.

Schedule for the Sri Lanka tour and significance

The two-match Test series is scheduled to begin on January 29, with the seco??nd Test starting on February 6. Both games will be held at the Galle International Stadium, a venue notorious for its spin-friendly pitches that have historically challenged even the most accomplished batting lineups. Following the Tests, a one-off One-Day International (ODI) is sched??uled for February 13, also at Galle.

This series serves as a critical test for Australia as they fine-tune their strategies and squad composition ahead of the ICC WTC final. Having recently triumphed over India in a 3-1 home series, the Australians will aim to carry forward their winning momentum while addressing the challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions. The matches in Galle will not only test their adaptability bu??t also provide valuable insights into their preparedness for upcoming global tournaments.

Australia Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka:

 Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus La?buschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

Also READ: Michael Clarke names the ‘b?e?st ever fast bowler�?across all three formats

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Udeshika Prabodhani lit up the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with an exceptional delivery that sent Australian opener Alyssa Healy back to the pavilion. The dramatic moment came during the group stage clash between Australia and Sri Lanka on Saturday, October 5, in Sharjah?, and it provided an early breakthrough for Sri Lanka.

Udeshika Prabodhani dismisses Alyssa Healy with a cracker of a delivery

The left-arm pacer Prabodhani delivered a peach of a delivery right in the first over, getting rid of the dangerous Healy for just four runs off three balls. The Sri Lankan bowler bowled a full-length delivery aimed at the middle stump, and Healy, who was known for her explosive starts, stepped forward in an attempt to push the ball down the ground. However, Prabodhani’s delivery had just enough movement after pitching to beat Healy’s bat, as the ??ball swung away slightly, crashing into the off-stump.

The sight of Healy, one of the most accomplished and aggressive batters in women’s cricket, walking back to the pavilion with just four runs on the board was a huge boost for Sri Lanka. The early dismissal by Prabodhani exemplified her skill in swinging the ball, even in subcontinental conditions where such movement can be hard to find. It was the perfect start for Sri L?anka, and it gave them an opportunity to put the strong Australian ba??tting line-up under pressure.

Here is the video:

What a start for Sri Lanka! 😍

An important wicket as the Aussie skipper, #AlyssaHealy is caught &?? bowled by Prabodhani! 👀(only available?? in India)

Watch 👉🏻 #AUSvSL on #WomensWorldCupOnStar | LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/jTeCwLFMxR

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 5, 2024

Also READ: Here’s how India can qualify for semifin??al after humiliating loss against New Zealand in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Australia beat Sri Lanka comfortably

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, but they found the Australian bowling attack difficult to handle. Despite a promising start, they struggled to build partnerships and ended up managing only 93 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Nilakshi de Silva was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, remaining unbeaten on 29 runs, while most other batters struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Australian bowling unit. Megan Schutt was particularly effective, delivering an economical spell and claiming three wickets for just 12 runs, while Sophie Molineux supported well with 2 wickets for 20 runs.

In response, Australia faced an early setback when Healy was dismissed cheaply, but they managed to recover comfortably. Beth Mooney anchored the innings with an unbeaten 43 runs, ensuring that Australia stayed on course despite losing a few wickets in the middle. Australia chased down the target in 14.2 overs, scoring 94 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, and securing a comfortable 6-wicket victory. The win highlighted Australia’s batting depth and resilience, even when faced with early pressure.

Also READ: Megan Schutt sizzles in Australia’s dominant win over Sri? Lanka in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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