Watch: Australia’s Test squad react to Cooper Connolly’s match-winning innings in the BBL final, with mixed responses to the Perth Scorchers’ thrilling victory.

Having flown out to India ahead of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which begins on February 9, members of the Australia squad gathered in a hotel room to watch the BBL final.

The Perth Scorchers took on the Brisbane Heat at Perth Stadium, the Scorchers in search of their fifth title and the Heat their second. Having been set 176 to win by the Heat, the Scorchers were in trouble after Stevie Eskinazi was run out wandering out of his crease, and Cameron Bancroft and Aaron Hardie were both dismissed for less than 20. Ashton Turner steadied the run chase but he was also run out after a disastrous mix-up, leaving Scorchers still needing 38 runs from the final three overs.

In just his fourth BBL match, Cooper Connolly, who captained Australia at the 2022 U19 World Cup, hit a six off his second ball at the crease, smashing another two boundaries in the over to take the equation down to 20 needed off 12. His second six was a huge blow into the depths of the bottom tier at the Perth Stadium, swinging powerfully over mid-wicket.

With the senior national side gathered around the TV screen thousands of miles away, Connolly’s innings provoked mixed responses. Out of camera shot Usman Khawaja, who played eight matches for Brisbane Heat this year, shouted “who is this guy?” Ashton Agar, who has played for Perth Scorchers since 2013, responded; “I love him,” in relation to his teammate.

Fellow Scorchers player Cameron Green was in disbelief, eyes fixed on the screen saying, “Oh my God”. As the camera panned round to the Brisbane Heat side of the room, Mitchell Swepson covered his eyes with his hand while Marnus Labuschagne watched on in disbelief.

After hitting the six, Connolly was dropped by Josh Brown on 19 in the penultimate over, and Scorchers needed ten of the final six to win. Connolly got a single off the first ball before Nick Hobson hit a six off a Michael Neser drag-down to reduce the target to three runs off four. Neser followed up the six delivery with a full toss, which Hobson manoeuvred over the short third man fielder for four – much to the delight of the Scorchers players in India.

Watch: Australia players react to the BBL final below

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