Priyanka Tiwari
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During their ongoing multi-series competition Australia engaged Sri Lanka in the second Test against them. After the visitors' mammoth victory against Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, both sides next locked horns for the second Test at the Galle International Stadium from Thursday, February 6.
The announcement revealed that Australia selected batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly for his Test debut during the second Test match at the age of 21. A latest report shows the youngster as the fourth successive Australian debutant in matches numbering four.
Sam Konstas entered his first Australian team for the Boxing Day Test against India while Beau Webster appeared at the New Year's Test at the SCG followed by Josh Inglis whose debut occurred during the first Test against Sri Lanka. Cooper Connolly became the fourth Telstra player to make his debut following three consecutive matches.
The decision to replace Todd Murphy with Connolly led to his first selection on the starting team. In four first-class matches Matthew Kuhnemann gained support by having Connolly join the XI lending the team another left-arm orthodox bowler option. He brings significant power to the battery offense of the visitors. The team selection of Connolly suggests Australia is changing their approach.
Starting from the second Test Steve Smith led Australia with an announcement of his high confidence in Connolly which he highlighted through the nets performances. What I have seen in his net bowling displays excellent balls while staying consistent at the Dubai training camp and current net practice sessions because that is precisely what you need in these playing conditions. Smith emphasized to cricket.com.au that players should practice delivering high quality balls consistently to the correct zones of the batting field so conditions would do the rest.
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