Last Updated on 18 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Cooper Connolly’s struggles in the 2025 Champions Trophy Semi-Final seem a distant memory. That day, the then 21-year-old found the going tough in Dubai, dismissed for a nine-ball duck when called on to open the batting.
Fast forward to September 2026, and Connolly is enjoying a solid run of form. His 69-ball 78 in the second match against Zimbabwe marks his third-straight 50+ score in the format, following scores of 149 (134) against Bangladesh in June and 51 (46) in the first ODI in Harare.
Cooper Connolly becomes the youngest Australian to score three consecutive 50+ scores in men’s ODIs
At 23 years and 27 days, Connolly has become the youngest Australian to make three consecutive 50+ scores in men’s ODIs. The run represents a marked improvement over the last 12-18 months, which includes a composed, unbeaten 61 to seal a series win against India in October 2025.
Connolly’s role at the top of the order is one he cherishes. After the first ODI against Zimbabwe, Connolly said he’ll be open to batting in the middle order if need be, but his composure against both seam and spin so far makes him a solid option at number three.
“I’d love to bat at the top order, but obviously the one-day team has been a strong team for a while and they’ve always been strong at the top. So it’s just trying to be as versatile as possible. And if I can nail that opportunity, so be it,” Connolly said, as quoted by the ICC’s official website.
“But if there’s another opportunity down the order where I’m going to fit in, I’m more than happy to fit in there. But it’s just about nailing what opportunities I get and being consistent and trying to own a role in this team.”
There is a train of thought that Connolly’s IPL 2026 campaign has taken him to a different level in international cricket. While it’s early days, Connolly’s 301 runs at 43 in internationals compared to 99 runs at nine pre-IPL 2026 shows the impact of his solid tournament earlier this year.
Playing for Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings, Connolly hit 491 runs at an average of 44.63 and strike rate of 163.12, with two fifties and a hundred.
He has looked particularly strong against the spinners this year, with an ability to hit long balls even against deliveries pitched on a good length. This was on show in the second ODI in Harare, which included a massive six down the ground off Sikandar Raza.
