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🇦🇺 Australia /Sports

Connolly fights cramps for maiden ODI century as Australia wins thriller

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Emerging star Cooper Connolly scored his maiden international century, hitting 149 off 133 balls to guide Australia to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
  • Connolly battled severe cramps throughout his innings, which saw Australia avoid a 3-0 series whitewash in the final ODI.
  • Despite a late collapse that saw Australia fall from 5-266 to 9-271, Adam Zampa secured the win with a boundary, finishing the series 2-1.

Emerging Australian cricketer Cooper Connolly battled through intense cramps to score a magnificent maiden international century, a knock of 149 from 133 deliveries that steered Australia to a nail-biting one-wicket win over Bangladesh. The victory in the third and final one-day international prevented a series whitewash, with Australia ultimately winning the series 2-1.

Tough towards the end. I felt like my body was all in shock and not wanting to move. But it was nice to play a role in a win for Australia.

— Cooper ConnollyConnolly reflected on the physical challenges he faced during his century-making innings and his satisfaction in contributing to the team's victory.

Playing at the hot and humid Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Connolly's impressive innings, which included 13 fours and six sixes, was the cornerstone of Australia's chase of Bangladesh's 5-274. His score stands as the equal 27th highest by an Australian in ODIs. The next highest contribution from an Australian batsman was Marnus Labuschagne's 29.

The enjoyment of playing for Australia and batting out in the middle is always something that's exciting and to spend a bit of time out there was nice.

— Cooper ConnollyConnolly shared his positive feelings about representing Australia and spending time batting in the middle.

Connolly described the end of his innings as "tough," admitting his body felt "all in shock and not wanting to move." Despite the physical struggle, he expressed satisfaction in playing a role in the team's victory. "The enjoyment of playing for Australia and batting out in the middle is always something that's exciting and to spend a bit of time out there was nice," he said.

I was obviously a little disappointed in myself because I'd done all the hard work to get to that position. It would have been nice to carry your bat through the whole innings.

— Cooper ConnollyConnolly expressed personal disappointment at not being able to finish the match himself after setting up the win.

Australia appeared to be cruising towards victory at 5-266, but suffered a dramatic collapse, losing four wickets for five runs to reach 9-271. Adam Zampa ultimately sealed the win with a boundary in the final over, three deliveries shy of the target. Left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam was Bangladesh's most effective bowler, taking six wickets for 48 runs. Connolly, who was dismissed in the 49th over with four runs needed, expressed disappointment at not finishing the match himself but maintained faith in his teammates to secure the win.

I think there's always faith in whoever's out there, whether it's number 10 and 11. I'm always willing to back them in.

— Cooper ConnollyDespite his dismissal, Connolly conveyed confidence in his teammates to secure the victory.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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