Huge blow! Cooper Connolly replaces injured Australia star for CT 2025 knockouts

Australia have called up the spin-bowling allrounder Cooper Connolly into their Champions Trophy 2025 for the knockout matches. Connolly replaces Matthew Short, who has been ruled out of the tournament after injuring himself in the last game.

Cooper Connolly will provide the team with valuable left-arm spin which can be vital in the upcoming semi-final against India in Dubai. However, Australia will miss a quality opening batter in the absence of Matthew Short.

Also read: Varun Chakravarthy to be dropped? India's playing XI for CT 2025 semi-final picked by Ravi Shastri

Cooper Connolly replaces Matthew Short

Cooper Connolly was in the travelling reserves with the Australian squad for this tournament. His addition has been approved by the tournament's technical committee. As he was among the travelling reserves, he has already joined the squad for the semi-final.

The 21-year-old Connolly is inexperienced at this level having played just three ODIs so far with modest returns. The left-hander has scored 10 runs in three games and is yet to pick up a wicket so far with an economy rate of 7.75.

Interestingly, Cooper Connolly has limited List A experience with just 9 matches to his name so far. He has scored 117 runs at an average of 16.71 and picked up just 3 wickets at an average of 56.66.

He is a regular part of the BBL where he represents Perth Scorchers and will have to use this experience if he gets a game in the upcoming knockouts of the Champions Trophy. Apart from this, Cooper Connolly also made his Test debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year but hardly got a chance to make an impact either with bat or ball.

Connolly can have a key role to play if he gets a chance to play in the semi-final against India in Dubai. The pitches in Dubai have been low and slow of late providing assistance for the spin bowlers. He can provide some vital overs for his team since the pitch is expected to take turn.

Why is Matthew Short ruled out?

Matthew Short picked up a quad injury while fielding during Australia's final group-stage match against Afghanistan. Although he returned to bat, he didn't look to play long innings and instead emphasized on scoring quick runs in order to make a greater impact in a limited time.

Short scored a quickfire 20 off 15 balls which included 3 fours and 1 six. He stitched a fiery partnership of 44 runs with Travis Head in just 4.3 overs to give Australia a rollicking start at the top.

Australia were going along nicely in the game at 109-1 in 12.5 overs in their pursuit of the target of 274 runs in Lahore. However, rain stopped play and the match was washed out due to rain. As a result, Australia secured their qualification for the semi-final.

They also have an option to include Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top, however, that will reduce their bowling options. Fraser-McGurk will provide the team with an aggressive option at the top.

When will India and Australia face off?

Australia will face an in-form India in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. The match will be played on March 4 in Dubai. It is a highly anticipated contest between two of the best ODI teams of the last decade.

Both the teams have reached this stage unbeaten. While India won all of their three matches in the group stage, Australia won 1 match out of the three they played. Two of their matches were washed out due to rain.