Courtesy: CA
Ahead of the highly anticipated first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against India, the Australian cricket team suffered a big blow as their opening batter and all-rounder Matthew Short got ruled out of the tournament due to a quad injury. With that, the Australian selectors have replaced Matthew Short with Cooper Connolly in their 15-member squad as he was already with them as a travelling reserve during the ongoing tournament.
Notably, Matthew Short picked up the quad injury during Australia’s Group B game against Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy, which ended in a no-result due to persistent rain at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With such a short turnaround from this game to the upcoming semi-final against India, there was not enough time for Matthew Short to recover from his injury, which is why he has been replaced in the squad at such a crucial juncture.
Cooper Connolly expected to play for Australia in CT 2025 semi-final versus India
Cooper Connolly could be playing his first match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a semi-final clash against India, because he has the ability to not only bat left-handed, but provide a left-arm spin bowling option. The dual skill could be crucial for Australia in the semi-finals stage with the pitch at the Dubai International Stadium heavily favouring spin bowling, as seen in matches played by India in the group games of the tournament earlier.
Moreover, if the Australian selectors decide against picking Cooper Connolly in the playing XI straight away, they have the option of replacing Matthew Short with opening batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has the ability to strike the ball big from the get-go. There is also an option of selecting Tanveer Sangha in the playing XI for the next match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against India, if the Australians look to bolster their bowling lineup with his leg spin, which could come in quite handy on a turning pitch in Dubai.
