Perth Scorchers young gun Cooper Connolly has received a stunning reward for his explosive start to the Big Bash League season, earning a surprise selection in Australia's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Scorchers Star Makes His Case
The spin-bowling all-rounder has forced his way into the 15-player squad on the back of 170 runs and five wickets across just four matches for the Scorchers this BBL campaign. This remarkable form sees him named as the squad's major bolter for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Connolly, who has six previous T20 international caps with the most recent coming in the West Indies last July, is one of three Scorchers players selected. He joins Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis in the national set-up, while fellow West Australian all-rounder Cam Green has also been included.
Spin-Heavy Strategy for Subcontinent
National selectors have clearly tailored the squad for the expected turning tracks on the subcontinent, packing the lineup with slow-bowling options. Connolly comes in as one of four specialist spinners, alongside the experienced Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Matthew Short.
In a significant leadership decision, Mitch Marsh has been retained as captain despite the return of Test skipper Pat Cummins to the T20 fold. Cummins has not played a T20 international since Australia's exit from the 2024 World Cup in the Super Eights stage.
Injury Clouds Over Key Trio
The squad announcement comes with fitness concerns hanging over three pivotal players. Pat Cummins, who recently returned from a bone stress injury in his back to help clinch The Ashes in Adelaide before being ruled out for the rest of the series, is one of them.
He is joined on the injury watch list by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who missed the entire Ashes series due to hamstring and achilles issues, and power-hitter Tim David. David was ruled out of the remainder of the BBL after suffering a hamstring strain playing for the Hobart Hurricanes against the Scorchers on Boxing Day.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey expressed confidence in the squad's balance for the challenging conditions. "This group is well suited to confront the variety of conditions Sri Lanka and India may present," Bailey said. He confirmed that Cummins, Hazlewood, and David were "tracking well" and expected to be fit for the World Cup.
Bailey noted that this is a preliminary squad, leaving the door open for changes if required before the official support period begins. A separate squad for the three-match T20 series against Pakistan, which serves as a warm-up for the World Cup, will be named at a later date.
Australia's T20 World Cup Squad: Mitch Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
