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Cooper Connolly replaces injured Matthew Short in Australia’s Champions Trophy squad
Cooper Connolly replaces injured Matthew Short in Australia’s Champions Trophy squad
Spin-bowling all-rounder Cooper Connolly will replace injured Matthew Short in the Australian squad for the ongoing Champions Trophy knock-out stages.
Short was ruled out of the ICC event, being held in Pakistan and Dubai, due to a calf injury sustained during the match against Afghanistan. The 21-year-old Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England last year, was initially named as a travelling reserve for the tournament.
The ICC's Event Technical Committee has approved his inclusion in the Australian squad early on Monday. Connolly has thus far featured in six internationals for Australia, of which three have been ODIs. He's a left-handed batter, who bowls left-arm spin as well. Short injured his calf on Friday while fielding and appeared hindered when making a quickfire 20 at the top of the order before the match was abandoned due to rain in Lahore.
"I think he'll be struggling," Australia captain Steve Smith had said of Short's injury status. "I think we saw tonight he wasn't moving very well and I think it's probably going to be too quick between games for him to recover." Australia will face India in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy here on Tuesday.
Inexperienced top-order batter Jake Fraser-McGurk seems the most likely replacement for Short, while captain Steve Smith may consider moving himself to the top of the order to partner Travis Head so the side could introduce an extra bowling option.
All-rounders Sean Abbott and Aaron Hardie are also in Australia's 15-player squad for the Champions Trophy, while spinner Tanveer Sangha is another potential player who could earn a place in the side for the semi-finals.
Australia qualified for the semi-finals in second place with four points out of three fixtures. India, who finished at the top of Group A with six points, will face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday in Dubai.
Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa.
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