CooperConnolly

Cooper Connolly joined Western Australia on a rookie contract ahead of the 2021-22 domestic season when he was seen as a left-handed prospect of exceptional promise.

The talented allrounder captained Australia at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies, finishing third, and was named in Perth Scorchers' squad for the 2021-22 KFC Big Bash League season.

Forced to bide his time, it wasn't until the following summer he played his first BBL match, but then became the hero of the Scorchers' title win with an astonishing 25 off 11 balls to lift Perth over the Brisbane Heat in the final.

He continued that form with a breakout season in 2023-24, featuring in every Big Bash game with 181 runs at the side's third highest strike rate (136.09). He then made a match-turning 90 on first-class debut in the 2022-23 Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania to help deliver Western Australia a third straight title.

He earned his first call-up to Australia's senior men's team with inclusion in the squad to tour the UK for matches against Scotland and England in September 2024. With the ball, Connolly is a versatile left arm orthodox spinner, capable of taking wickets and conserving runs. As a batter, Connolly strikes the ball cleanly and scores quickly.