Australian allrounder Cooper Connolly has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan after suffering a fractured left hand during the deciding ODI in Perth on Sunday.
Connolly was struck by a bouncer from Pakistan pacer Mohammad Hasnain on the second ball of the 17th over while attempting a pull shot. He continued to face one more delivery before realizing the severity of the injury. After receiving treatment from the team physio, Connolly was forced to leave the field and later underwent scans, which confirmed a fracture to the fourth metacarpal of his left hand.
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the injury and stated that Connolly would consult a specialist in Perth on Monday to assess the recovery timeline. A replacement for Connolly in the T20I squad will be named in the coming days.
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The injury is a blow for both Connolly and the Australian selectors, as the 22-year-old had been earmarked for a key role in the national T20 side, particularly with his finishing ability and left-arm spin. Connolly made his T20I debut in September during the UK tour, playing against Scotland and England, and was also part of the Australia A squad in recent matches against India A.
The injury also raises concerns for his availability in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), with Connolly’s home team, the Perth Scorchers, likely to monitor his recovery closely. The BBL begins on December 15, and Connolly would have been available for two more Sheffield Shield matches before the injury.
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This setback hampers Connolly’s development ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, as he was expected to gain valuable experience in the T20I series against Pakistan.
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