Australia Faces Criticism Over Selection of Cooper Connolly in Test Against Sri Lanka
Australia's Test cricketers are in a rich vein of form and on track for a series sweep of Sri Lanka, but one selection has come in for intense criticism from fans of the sport.
Australia has blooded Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis in recent times, generating mixed results as selectors try to gradually turn over an ageing side.
The decision to hand Cooper Connolly a baggy green cap for the second Test in Galle - and his subsequent performance on debut - has not gone down well with many.
Australia ended up with 414 runs in its first innings, an overall lead of 157 runs, led by centuries to Alex Carey (156) and Steve Smith (131).
Sri Lanka is now in trouble at 5/128 in its second knock in the final session of day three, with Smith taking a sensational slips catch for the fifth wicket.
Connolly didn't make much of a contribution to Australia's total, lasting just six balls and making four runs before he was dismissed by Sri Lankan spinner Nishan Peiris.
Prior to the Test getting underway, author Brydon Coverdale quipped on X: "I currently have as many first-class wickets and centuries as Australian Test cricketer Cooper Connolly." That, of course, would be zero.
A star for the Perth Scorchers in the BBL competition, Connolly is yet to take a wicket in four first-class appearances, but was apparently picked for this match ahead of Todd Murphy as a bowling all-rounder.
Yet Connolly bowled a total of three overs in Sri Lanka's first innings, finishing with 0/12, and at the time of writing has bowled two overs for nine runs in the second dig.
CODE Sports cricket writer Daniel Cherny was preaching patience with Connolly, using Konstas as a comparison. "Like with Konstas in Melbourne, there would have been method to the madness," Cherny tweeted of Connolly's debut with the bat.
Yet others seemed keen to write him off, with some stinging comments dropping on X after the left-field selection. One wrote: "Cooper Connolly should hand back his baggy green, absolute fraud."
Another commented: "Just out of interest, considering he batted at number 8. Only made a few runs and isn't bowling, just 3 overs in total so far, and has not taken a first class wicket. Is there any reason why Cooper Connolly is in the team at the moment?"
A third wrote: "Cooper Connolly is one of the wildest Test selections ever. No first class wickets or tons. I'm shocked more hasn't been made of it."
Other fans pointed to players that could have been given a chance ahead of Connolly, who is only just getting started in his promising career.
There was a smattering of support online, with one questioning why Connolly wasn't getting more of a chance with the ball. "I'm a big Cooper Connolly fan but can not understand having him bat at 8 and only bowling 3 overs."
Connolly may still have an impact with the bat or ball in this Test match, although time is fast running out. It also may prove a one-Test cameo for now until the talented youngster gets far more first-class cricket under his belt.
