‘He won’t die wondering’: Cooper Connolly’s parents Shane and Donna on son’s dream Test debut
As they came to grips with their son’s remarkable Test debut at just 21 years old, Cooper Connolly’s parents had a prediction for how the youngster would approach the huge occasion.
“I like to think he’ll play how he always plays and take the game on and be positive,” Connolly’s dad Shane said.
“He won’t die wondering.”
Connolly’s rise from raw Scarborough talent to Australian Test cricketer was made complete on Thursday, with the allrounder picked to replace Todd Murphy in the tourists’ XI in Galle.
Shane and Connolly’s mum Donna were on hand for the occasion, and were left humbled and proud by what they experienced in the lead-up to the first ball.
Camera IconCooper Connolly is presented with his cap by Simon Katich. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
“Seeing your son get presented a Baggy Green, by one of WA’s greats in Simon Katich… it’s unreal. Sensational,” Shane said on Seven.
Connolly has long been touted as a future representative at international level, with his heroics on the big stage to help secure the Perth Scorchers’ win in the Big Bash League final two summers ago underlining his appetite for the big moment.
But the speed at which it’s happened may have taken some by surprise. Connolly earned his T20 international debut last September, just a fortnight after turning 21, before a one-day international debut weeks later.
A fractured hand suffered in a hometown ODI at Optus Stadium in November looked likely to set him back, before he recovered to set the BBL alight as the joint Player of the Tournament.
Camera IconConnolly and father Shane embrace. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Donna said her son’s latest achievement was just reward for someone who had his sights set on cricketing success from a young age.
“He used to always be with a bat and a ball. It didn’t matter where he was, he’d be getting throwdowns from people,” she said.
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“He used to always say he wanted to play Test cricket… (from) probably around 6, 7 or 8.
“We’re really proud of him.”
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