Follow UsPlaying only his fourth One-Day International (ODI), that too in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against India, Australia’s young opener Cooper Connolly looked completely clueless during his 9-ball stay in Dubai on March 4 (Tuesday).
The spin-bowling all-rounder was part of Australia’s travelling reserves but was drafted into the playing XI after Matt Short was ruled out of the semi-final because of a quad injury.
This was only the second time Connolly was opening the innings in List A cricket and India’s ace paceman Mohammed Shami made him look like a school-level batter.
The southpaw could only get the bat to the ball three times, with one of them being an under-edge to KL Rahul behind the stumps. It was a wide delivery and Connolly went chasing, only to get a fine edge to the wicketkeeper.
The 21-year-old failed to open his account and registered the slowest duck for Australia in the Champions Trophy.
Shami could have also got rid of Travis Head in the first over but dropped a catch off his own bowling. The ball came to his right, but Shami reacted slightly late and could only get his fingertips to it.
