Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
đ» How to tune into Sport Nation
'Eye on the future': Connolly in Test frame but selection threatened by potential returning veteran
Sam Kosack ⹠ January 8th, 2025 5:33 pm
Cooper Connolly is in the frame to be selected for Australiaâs upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, however his path to a Test debut may be blocked by the potential return of Glenn Maxwell.
Connolly has been playing Sheffield Shield for Western Australia, making 90 in his debut during the 2023/24 Sheffield Shield final. He also made his Australia ODI and T20 debuts in 2024.
The 21-year-oldâs ability to bowl spin makes the highly touted player an enticing inclusion given Australiaâs need to blood young talent and having already secured their place in the World Test Championship final.
News Corp chief cricket writer Daniel Cherny believes Connolly is a genuine chance of being in the squad, which will likely be announced on Thursday.
âI think Cooper Connolly is certainly in the mix,â Cherny revealed on SEN 1170 Mornings.
âNothing confirmed but I wouldn't be shocked to see him in the 16-man touring party. Heâs already been a player of national interest.
âI just wonder if theyâre keeping one eye on the next tour of India⊠it is still worthwhile keeping an eye on the future given they've qualified for the World Test Championship final.â
Lockie Ferguson on David Warner's captaincy at Sydney Thunder | Sport Nation
Cherny believes however, that selectors are tossing up selecting Connolly or offering Glenn Maxwell another chance at Test level.
Maxwell last played Test cricket in 2017 against Bangladesh but has been vocal about wanting to return to the arena.
âI suspect it may come down to Glenn Maxwell or Cooper Connolly as similar kinds of players as all-rounders who bowl spin,â Cherney said.
âYouâve got one guy whoâs 36 and another whoâs in his early 20s and thatâs going to be the calculus for the selectors.â
On SEN's The Run Home, Maxwell opened up on his selection chances for the Sri Lanka tour.
âIâd love to say with 100% confidence that Iâll definitely be on the plane but Iâm not sure,â Maxwell said.
âIâll keep doing everything I can to be ready⊠but I have no idea which way theyâre going.â
Maxwell last played first class cricket in July 2023, limited by his selection in Australiaâs ODI and T20 squads and injuries.
