Australia Names Cooper Connolly as Matthew Short’s Replacement Ahead of Champions Trophy Semifinal Against India

Australia has announced young all-rounder Cooper Connolly as the replacement for the injured Matthew Short ahead of their crucial Champions Trophy semifinal against India, according to the ICC. Short suffered a calf injury while fielding and was visibly struggling during his quickfire 20 at the top of the order in Australia’s rain-affected match against Afghanistan in Lahore, which was eventually abandoned.

Australia’s captain Steve Smith had already hinted at Short’s unavailability, saying, “I think he’ll be struggling. He wasn’t moving very well tonight, and I think it’s probably going to be too quick between games for him to recover.”

Connolly, a left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, has played six international matches for Australia, including three ODIs. While his international experience remains limited, his addition provides Australia with another spin option, which could prove valuable on the slow surfaces in Dubai. In his three ODIs, Connolly has scored 10 runs and is yet to take a wicket.

With Short ruled out, Australia now faces a key decision regarding their top order. Jake Fraser-McGurk appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Short, but there is also speculation that Smith himself might move up the order to open alongside Travis Head. This could allow the team to strengthen their bowling attack with an additional option.

Other potential changes for the semifinal include all-rounders Sean Abbott and Aaron Hardie, who are part of Australia’s 15-member squad, while leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha remains another possibility, especially considering the conditions in Dubai.

Australia secured their spot in the semifinals after finishing second in Group A with four points from three matches. India, who topped the group with six points, will face them in the first semifinal on Tuesday in Dubai. With both teams looking to secure a place in the final, Australia’s team combination and approach without Short will be key factors in the high-stakes clash.

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa.