Australia have named rookie all-rounder Cooper Connolly as a replacement for injured opener Matthew Short ahead of their semi-final clash against India on Tuesday (March 4).
Short was ruled out from the rest of the competition due to a quad injury sustained during Australia’s rain-curtailed group match against Afghanistan on February 28. He picked up the injury while fielding during the match, and was visibly in discomfort during his brief knock of 15-ball 20 before being dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai.
Connolly, who was initially a part of Australia's travelling reserve, has been added as his replacement. "The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Cooper Connolly as a replacement for Matthew Short in the Australia squad," confirmed a press release.
The 21-year-old spin bowling all-rounder, who made his ODI debut against England last year, has played three matches in the format so far. He has also represented Australia in two T20Is and a Test.
First semi-final: India vs Australia
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) March 2, 2025
Second semi-final: New Zealand vs South Africa
The road to glory enters the knockout stage in the 2025 Champions Trophy.#INDvsNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/DQeUi6wLny
While Australia have a spare batter in Jake Fraser-McGurk, Connolly’s left-arm spin could tempt them to play him in Dubai after Short’s absence left them short on bowling options.
However, Australia have viable part-time spin alternatives in Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head, besides mainstays Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell. That means seam all-rounder Aaron Hardie may also get a look in.
Short’s unavailability is the latest injury blow to Australia campaign. They have had multiple injury setbacks coming into the tournament with Mitchell Marsh (back), Josh Hazlewood (hip), Mitchell Starc (ankle) and Pat Cummins (ankle) all missing, while Marcus Stoinis retired from ODIs just ahead of the tournament.
The last time Australia played India in an ODI was the final of the 2023 World Cup. If they win the semi-final, the final will be played in Lahore, else it will be staged in Dubai.
Australia's updated Champions Trophy 2025 squad:
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly.
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