Cooper Connolly: WA youngster has ODI appearance end early amid hit to finger
Cooper Connolly won’t forget his home international debut – but not for the reasons he’d like.
The Scarborough allrounder had his day cut short with what appeared to be a nasty finger injury after being struck while batting amid Australia’s woeful start against Pakistan at Optus Stadium.
Connolly attempted to pull a short delivery from Mohammad Hasnain, only to be hit on the left hand by the rising ball.
The 21-year-old immediately walked toward square leg and pulled off his glove, before being attended to by medical staff.
He was unable to continue and retired hurt for 7 – his first runs at international level having failed to bat in his previous one-day international and two T20 internationals.
Camera IconConnolly walking off. Credit: Trevor Collens/AP
Connolly’s injury came amid a horror first hour-and-a-half for Australia, whose second-string line-up was woefully exposed by Pakistan’s quicks.
The Aussies were reduced to 5-79 – effectively six down with Connolly’s injury – due to a combination of poor shot selection and probing bowling from the tourists’ pace battery.
Australia entered the series-deciding match without seven players from their best ODI XI, with skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne all rested after featuring earlier in the series. Mitch Marsh and Travis Head are also both unavailable.
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