Diamonds are born when the pressure is highest, and the raw Cooper Conolly was afforded that chance by being dropped straight into a Champions Trophy semi-final against India with Mohammad Shami in front. The result was inevitable, but it was the manner in which it occurred that brought delight.
Australia’s spree of surprise selections continued in Dubai on Tuesday as the islanders opted to replace the injured Matthew Short with 21-year-old Cooper Conolly who has just three ODIs to his name, instead of the incumbent backup Jake Fraser-McGurk. However, when captain Steve Smith chose to bat first, a tall-order awaited the youngster as taking the new ball for India was Mohammed Shami, the most successful ICC ODI tournament bowler of his era. Even though Travis Head shielded Conolly by taking the strike first up, it only took three balls for the anticipate encounter to flare up and it did not disappoint.
Conolly offered defences to the first two length balls by Shami but the veteran went a bit wider to end the over and the southpaw flashed at it, only to be thoroughly beaten on the inside edge courtesy of the around the wicket angle. The first battle had been survived but there was little respite for the youngster as HHead played out a maiden at the other end, bringing Conolly back on strike for Shami’s second. The 34-year-old returned steaming, his first a 142 kph missile that rushed over Conolly’s attempted cut. On the second go, it was the inside edge that was beaten with Conolly struggling to judge the angle. The opener slashed hard at a third ball but the ball swung past him for a wide, a perfect set up for the fourth delivery that was fuller and straighter to square up Conolly before beating his outside edge. The nerves were visibly jingling for the Australian, and SHami took just three outswingers more to feast at it as Conolly could not help but try and break the shackles, nicking the final ball of the over to KL Rahul in the process.
Twitterati could not be more ecstatic at Shami welcoming Conoly to the ICC arena with a true baptism by fire.
Shami strikes
No defence
Cooper Connolly against shami#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/IFKsV0Gz2k
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) March 4, 2025
SHAMI, OH SHAMI, OH SHAMI, OH SHAMI, OH SHAMI, OH SHAMI 😭🔥. pic.twitter.com/J5J5dq93tI
— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) March 4, 2025
Just Imagine
Same length
Shami bowl same length consistently that’s the good thing about his bowling..
The eventful over.. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Awpfdb4VK7— ममता राजगढ़ (@rajgarh_mamta1) March 4, 2025
Cooper Connolly vs Mohammed Shami 🤭#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/7bYCtOdKob
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 4, 2025
Golden
Missed all 4
This is the worst I have seen a player bat vs 4 balls
Connolly vs Shami
Missed all 4
But too harsh on expecting perfection from a 21 yr old guy playing his 5th one only#CT2025— Renessann (@RENESSANN) March 4, 2025
Connolly didn’t even touch one ball. The only ball he touched, he was caught behind. Shami too good.
Hopefully dropping Head that early on doesn’t haunt us again🥲#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #ICCChampionsTrophy #ICT2025— Tanmay (@Tanmay_MUFC) March 4, 2025
Superb
