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Cooper Connolly: news, facts and key points

3 stories · latest 02 Nov 2026 · View the player page

Key points from the latest coverage

Andrew McDonald Signals Australia Selection Review After South Africa Test Series Defeat

Australia lost the three-Test series against South Africa 2-1 after being bowled out for 111 while chasing 288 in the deciding Test in Cape Town.
Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia had underachieved and that selection decisions would be considered after the disappointment of the tour.
McDonald said Marnus Labuschagne had missed opportunities in South Africa and that his position would be reassessed in the following week or so.
Labuschagne scored 131 runs at an average of 21.83 during the series, including scores of zero and four in the deciding Test.
McDonald said the selectors would consider the squad’s age profile as they balance experienced players with younger options such as Cooper Connolly and Sam Konstas.

Mitchell Marsh to Captain Australia in Both Formats for England White-Ball Series

Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia in both the three-match ODI series and five-match T20I series against England.
Australia named separate 14-player squads for the white-ball series, which begins with the first ODI in Perth on November 13, 2026.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been left out as they prepare for upcoming World Test Championship fixtures against New Zealand and India.
The ODI squad includes Mahli Beardman, Jack Edwards, Ollie Peake and Liam Scott, while the T20I squad features Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Sam Harper and Lachlan Shaw.
Nathan Ellis has been selected for the T20I leg but will miss the ODIs while recovering from a side strain.

Mitchell Starc Takes 20th Test Five-Wicket Haul as Australia Bowl Out South Africa for 329

Mitchell Starc took 6-72 on day one of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands on October 27, 2026.
The six-wicket spell was Starc’s 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
South Africa were bowled out for 329 in 82.3 overs after reaching 203-1.
Marques Ackerman top-scored with 95 from 94 balls, while Aiden Markram made 78.
David Bedingham scored 50 and Marco Jansen added 52 as South Africa recovered briefly before the late collapse.

Did you know? Facts about Cooper Connolly

Australia have now been dismissed for four wickets down at 95 or worse in 14 of their past 25 Test innings, according to ABC reporting. Read the story →
Australia surrendered a 1-0 series lead after losing the second and third Tests in Gqeberha and Cape Town. Read the story →
Josh Inglis was brought into the deciding Test at short notice after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck problem and went on to score a century. Read the story →
McDonald said Nathan Lyon’s position was not something to review immediately and expected the spinner to prepare for the first Test against New Zealand. Read the story →
The eight-match white-ball series consists of three ODIs and five T20Is across seven Australian cities. Read the story →
Mahli Beardman and Jack Edwards have been included in both Australian squads. Read the story →
Australia's ODI squad includes both Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, while the T20I group features Sam Harper and Lachlan Shaw among its wicketkeeping options. Read the story →
England have named Harry Brook as captain for both formats, with Joe Root included in the ODI squad but not the T20I group. Read the story →
Starc’s 6-72 was his best bowling return against South Africa in Test cricket, according to Sky Sports. Read the story →
Starc’s 20th Test five-for made him the second left-arm fast bowler to reach 20 five-wicket hauls in Tests, behind Wasim Akram, according to the statistical report by CREX. Read the story →
South Africa had been 158 without loss and later 203-1 before Australia’s bowlers turned the innings around. Read the story →

All stories on Cooper Connolly

Andrew McDonald Signals Australia Selection Review After South Africa Test Series Defeat

Australia coach Andrew McDonald says selectors will reassess Marnus Labuschagne and the squad’s age profile after a 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa. He admitted Australia underachieved but defended the broader quality of the team and pointed to batting positives from the tour.

Mitchell Marsh to Captain Australia in Both Formats for England White-Ball Series

Australia have named separate 14-player ODI and T20I squads for the home series against England, with Mitchell Marsh leading both teams. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been left out as they prepare for upcoming Test assignments.

Mitchell Starc Takes 20th Test Five-Wicket Haul as Australia Bowl Out South Africa for 329

Mitchell Starc claimed 6-72 and his 20th Test five-wicket haul as South Africa were dismissed for 329 on day one of the deciding third Test at Newlands on October 27, 2026.

Also in the news with Cooper Connolly

South Africa Australia New Zealand Nathan Lyon Josh Inglis Marnus Labuschagne Josh Inglis Cameron Green