Connolly keen to build World Cup case

Cooper Connolly is hoping to continue building his case for a place in Australia’s squad for next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The all-rounder’s performances over the coming months will be important as he looks to establish consistency, with Australia’s ODI run against Zimbabwe and South Africa providing further opportunities ahead of the tournament. 

Connolly made an immediate contribution in Australia’s first-up win in Harare, scoring 51 from 46 balls at No.3. He struck four fours and three sixes, sharing a 50-run partnership with Mitch Marsh as the pair found the boundary regularly.

“I'd love to be on that tour. It's obviously a dream to play in a One-Day World Cup, but obviously it's still a year away. So there's some time to build and hopefully consistent performances can help me put my best foot forward,” Connolly said.

“We've got two big series here against Zimbabwe and South Africa. So I’m just looking to be consistent and put my best foot forward in helping this team win both series.”

Connolly’s contribution came in a top-order role, an opportunity he would like to continue pursuing, although he remains open to wherever he can best fit into Australia’s XI.

“I'd love to bat at the top order, but obviously the one-day team has been a strong team for a while and they've always been strong at the top. So it's just trying to be as versatile as possible. And if I can nail that opportunity, so be it.

“But if there's another opportunity down the order where I'm going to fit in, I'm more than happy to fit in there. But it's just about nailing what opportunities I get and being consistent and trying to own a role in this team.”

Connolly also returned to bowling in Harare, taking one wicket and marking his first appearance with the ball in five months. Back issues had limited his bowling this year, after he enjoyed a productive Big Bash League campaign in which he claimed 15 wickets.

After spending an extended period focusing solely on his batting, Connolly said the break had allowed him to work on his bowling before gradually increasing his workload.

“Yeah, it was great, to be honest. I only had to concentrate on batting. But obviously I did miss bowling, and I have bowled for most of my life.

“So it was a little bit of a different way to go about training. I'd have a hit, and then I'd have nothing to do. But yeah, it was obviously a nice required break from my back.

“But yeah, feeling good now, training in the right direction, and just slowly keep building  on towards more and more overs as time goes on.”

The 22-year-old has made technical adjustments to his bowling action as part of his return and is focused on continuing to build confidence before taking on a larger workload.

Connolly believes the changes can allow him to retain the effectiveness he showed during his successful Big Bash campaign, while keeping his focus on competing once he is in the middle.

“I think I'm going to revert back to what I trust and what I know. So it's just that, trying to improve my bowling, but also just making sure I get technical points. But obviously, when I'm out there competing and trying to work out how I'm going to get the batter out, or trying to stop them from scoring some boundaries and just trying to build some pressure.”

With Australia also set to face South Africa later this September, Connolly sees the ODI assignments as valuable opportunities to establish himself and make a case for a role in the side ahead of the World Cup.

The immediate focus, however, remains on contributing consistently and helping Australia through the two series.

“Definitely happy to put my foot forward to helping the team have some success. But obviously I would have liked to have been out there for a little bit longer. But it's always nice to see guys like Renners (Matt Renshaw) do well, even Peaky (Oliver Peake) in the middle-order.

“And then the bowlers now were incredible, so it was a nice first up win,” he spoke about the series opener in Harare.

His 51 against Zimbabwe and return to bowling provide two useful steps as Connolly continues to develop his all-round game, with the upcoming series offering further opportunities to strengthen his case in a competitive Australian unit.

Series schedule (v Zimbabwe):

First ODI: September 15, Harare (Australia won by 59 runs)
Second ODI: September 18, Harare 
Third ODI: September 20, Harare

Series schedule (v South Africa):

First ODI: September 24, Durban
Second ODI: September 27, Johannesburg
Third ODI: September 30, Potchefstroom