Australia cricket team were forced to make a last-minute change to their squad before their Champions Trophy semi-final clash against India. Opener Matthew Short has been replaced by traveling reserve Cooper Connolly in the squad. Short suffered a calf injury during the game against Afghanistan on Friday, leaving him doubtful for the knockout stages.
Connolly replaces Short for Champions Trophy semis
Earlier, Australia captain Steve Smith had said that Short will be struggling to recover in time for the semi-final clash. Short’s absence was expected to open the doors for Jake Fraser-McGurk’s entry into the playing XI. However, with Connolly addition to the squad, it remains to be seen what route Australia will take. Steve Smith and co. will take on India in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on March 4.
“I think he’ll (Short) be struggling. I think we saw tonight he wasn’t moving very well. I think it’s probably going to be too quick between games for him to recover. We’ve got a few guys there to come in to fill a job,” Smith said.
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Connolly has thus far featured in six internationals for Australia, of which three have been ODIs. He’s a left-handed batter, who bowls left-arm spin as well. The 21-year-old has no impressive record to boast about, either with bat or ball. But given that Australia would have seen the spin advantage in India’s game against New Zealand, they would want to take Connolly along to have an additional boost to their spin unit.
Australia squad for Champions Trophy semis
Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa
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