Champions Trophy 2025: Australia face injury scare, star player ruled out ahead of Semi-Final against India

Australia has named Cooper Connolly as the replacement for the injured Matthew Short in their squad for the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025. This decision came after Short suffered a calf injury while fielding in their last group stage against Afghanistan, which left him struggling to move.

This injury was deemed too severe for the 29-year-old batter to recover in time for the semi-final clash against India, prompting selectors to call upon Connolly, who was part of the team as a traveling reserve.

The forthcoming semi-final against Team India is set to present a formidable challenge for the Australian cricket team, not just due to India's strong spin department but also because the side now needs to replace star batter Matthew Short's batting prowess.

The Aussie opening batter has been impressive here in the Champions Trophy 2025, hammering 63 in a thrilling run chase in their opening match against England. His absence further leaves a big gap at the top order of the game.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar explains why Team India might prefer Australia over South Africa in Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash

Cooper's all-round abilities could prove crucial role in semi-final against India

Notably, this inclusion of the 20-year-old, despite his rare international experience, showcases Australia's willingness to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity.

Cooper's all-round abilities could play a crucial role in a game where spin and batting depth are the crucial factors in Dubai International Stadium, Dubai. As the Australian side is set to face India in Dubai, the side's ability to adjust to their strategy and utilize their depth effectively will be the key to success in their tournament.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Cooper Connolly as a replacement for Matthew Short in the Australia squad. Twenty-one-year-old Connolly, who has played three ODIs, was named as a replacement after Short was ruled out due to an injury to his left quadriceps,” ICC said in a statement.

Updated Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa.