ICC Event Technical Committee: Spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly has been approved as a replacement for injured opener Mattew Short in Australia’s squad for the ongoing 2025 Champions Trophy.Connolly, who has played three ODIs since his debut in England last year, was named as a replacement after Short was ruled out due to an injury to his left quadriceps which he sustained during Australia’s washed out Group B game against Afghanistan.
Connolly, 21, was initially named as a travelling reserve for the tournament, and him being drafted into the main squad was approved by the ICC Event Technical Committee comprising of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager – Events), Usman Wahla (PCB Director – International Cricket Operations), Shaun Pollock (Independent Representative).
There could be a temptation in the Australian camp to bring in Connolly, who bowls left-arm spin, for the all-important semi-final clash against India on slow pitch of the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.
Australia’s spin options include leg-spinner Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell’s part-time off-spin, along with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne capable of sending down some overs of handy spin bowling.
The 2023 ODI World Cup champions also have another leg-spinner in Tanveer Sangha, who can come in for either of the quicks if Australia take a leaf out of India’s book of playing four spinners in their 44-run win over New Zealand on Sunday.
Short’s absence also means that Australia could also consider having Jake Fraser-McGurk in the playing eleven and partner with Head at the top of the batting line-up. Fraser-McGurk, though, hasn’t got going in ODIs so far – going past 16 just once.
The 2023 ODI World Cup champions also have another leg-spinner in Tanveer Sangha, who can come in for either of the quicks if Australia take a leaf out of India’s book of playing four spinners in their 44-run win over New Zealand on Sunday.
Article Source: IANS
