Cooper Connolly's father in heartwarming revelation as Pat Cummins detail emerges
Aussie cricket fans are thrilled for young talent Cooper Connolly after the 21-year-old was handed his baggy green in Galle having fallen short of breaking Pat Cummins' bizarre record. After speculation Connolly could slot into the Aussie line-up for either Beau Webster or Todd Murphy for the second Test, it was the off-spinner to make way in a brutal axing on a wicket that should turn early.
While it was unfortunate for Murphy, Connolly was thrilled with former Aussie opener Simon Katich presenting the Western Australian with his baggy green as his mother and father embraced their son. And the 21-year-old batter is tied second as the player with the fewest first-class matches to debut for Australia.
Connolly has played just four matches for Western Australia - the same as Bill Watson - and only current Test captain Cummins and Tibby Cotter have played fewer before their debut. Connolly has impressed Australian selectors with the bat this summer having averages 61.80 in first-class cricket.
Despite not taking a wicket, the young Western Australian has impressed selectors with his off-spin bowling. And he will act as a second left-arm spinner behind Matt Kuhnemann who took nine wickets in the first Test.
Since the MCG Test against India, Connolly is Australia's fourth debutant in as many matches after Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis. And speaking to Channel 7, Connolly's father Shane admitted he was so proud of his son having pushed him to strive for greatness.
"We have always been hard on him, so we probably expected more than most from him," Shane said after the baggy green presentation. "People would tell us he was going to be ok, but we didn't believe all the rumours, so we just kept pushing him. We are probably his harshest critics and he understands that." Fans were thrilled for the youngster and praised the 21-year-old's rise amongst the Aussie ranks.
Cooper Connolly is Australia's 471st Test cricketer - and it sounds like he's also finally lived up to his dad's expectations! 😉READ MORE: https://t.co/Z9jjZvi0Gs pic.twitter.com/hWiyMPm0mX
— The Roar (@TheRoarSports) February 6, 2025
Cooper Connolly gets his maiden Test cap with a first-class experience of only four matches! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/TFGZvo9Nty
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 6, 2025
Cooper Connolly's Test debut in his 5th first class match. Fewest first-class matches before Test debut by any Australian since Pat Cummins (3). For context, Sam Konstas (11) had almost 3x as much first class experience when he debuted on Boxing Day #SLvAUS @abcsport
— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) February 6, 2025
Australia clearly wanted to add an extra batter to the line-up with the Galle wicket looking like it will turn earlier than the pitch used in the first Test at the same ground. And while Murphy can feel unfortuante to miss out, another player who is under immense pressure is Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia made the call to keep Labuschagne in the starting XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, despite struggling in recent months. The No.3 averaged averaged 25.8 at home against India. He also flopped in the first innings against Sri Lanka.
While there were question marks over whether the 30-year-old would play the second Test in Galle, Labuscahgne lined-up with stand-in captain Smith suggesting a big score was only around the corner. "(Labuschagne) played nicely at the back end of the summer, he looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a little bit more," Smith said ahead of the second Test.
"The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it's spinning, the more aggressive you have to be with your batting and the more proactive you have to be. He understands that, he understands spin and angles as good as anyone. I don't think he's far away from a good score."
While Labuschagne is safe for another Test, he does face pressure from the likes of Inglis, Cameron Green and Connolly. Green is shaping for a return to cricket before the ICC Test Championship Final. He will be returning as a specialist batter and selectors could see Labuschagne as a potential option to drop if he continues to fail. A big score from Connolly will also pile the pressure on the Queenslander as fans are starting to ask the question before the showdown against South Africa in the final.
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