ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia rope in spinner as replacement for injured Matthew Short ahead of semi-final clash against India

Matthew Short scored a half-century against England in the Group B clash of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Australia‘s injury crisis has worsened with opener Matthew Short getting ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a quad injury.

Short picked up the injury in Australia’s last group stage match against Afghanistan and would not have recovered in time for the knockout matches. Notably, he was one of Australia’s most economical bowlers in the game, conceding just 21 runs in seven overs.

He later came out to bat and scored 20 off 15 balls, adding 44 runs for the opening wicket, but looked in visible pain.

Earlier, Australia came into the tournament with injuries to key players, including regular skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Cameron Green. They are also playing the tournament without Mitchell Starc, who pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons and Marcus Stoinis, who retired from ODI cricket.

Copper Connolly replaces Matthew Short in Australia’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Ahead of the first semi-final game between India and Australia, the Kangaroos have roped in all-rounder Cooper Connolly as Short’s replacement in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.

The 21-year-old was already with the team as a traveling reserve and will be available to join the squad immediately. He is a batting all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm orthodox spin. He made his debut in all three formats for Australia in the last six months, with his ODI debut coming against England in September in Bristol.

Connolly has so far played five First-Class (FC) cricket and nine List A matches at the domestic level, averaging 52 and 17 in the two formats respectively. He also has 12 wickets to his name in T20s.

His inclusion is an interesting one due to the spinning nature of the Dubai wicket. If he makes it into the playing XI, he can serve as a support spinner to Adam Zampa alongside Glenn Maxwell.

Australia might also go with explosive opener Jake Fraser-McGurk as Short’s replacement in the playing XI, who has been part of the squad. Another interesting combination involves including Aaron Hardie in the middle order, which could force Steve Smith or Marnus Labuschagne to open the innings.

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