Western Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly has committed to the Perth Scorchers for an additional two seasons, extending his contract through KFC BBL|16. This move reinforces the Scorchers' pursuit of their sixth men's title in BBL|14.
Connolly, who played a pivotal role in the Scorchers' record fifth Big Bash title last season, has extended his deal that was initially set to expire at the end of this summer. This announcement follows the recent re-signing of Nick Hobson, Connolly's batting partner during the BBL|12 Final in front of 53,886 fans at Optus Stadium.
Perth Scorchers BBL|14 Squad (So Far): Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
After making a significant impact in the Scorchers' 2022-23 championship campaign with four appearances, the 20-year-old left-hander continued his impressive form last season, featuring in every game. Connolly scored 181 runs with a strike rate of 136.09, the team's third highest, trailing only Laurie Evans (189.61) and Hobson (141.86).
Connolly also showcased his talent in the longer format with a crucial 90 in his first-class debut during the Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania, contributing to Western Australia's third consecutive title. Additionally, as a former Australian under-19 captain, Connolly proved effective with his left-arm spin in BBL|13, taking six wickets in 11 overs with the best strike rate (11) and average (12.66) among Scorchers bowlers.
Reflecting on his recent seasons, Connolly described them as "pretty surreal." He expressed excitement for the upcoming seasons, acknowledging his early career stage and the opportunity to learn from his teammates and coaches. Connolly has enjoyed the challenge of playing varied roles with both bat and ball, testing his skills against top-tier players.
In preparation for the BBL|14 Draft in September, the Scorchers hold picks 7, 15, 18, and 31, with retention rights over Evans, Crawley, and Eskinazi if they nominate. The team also has the option to sign one international player to a multi-year deal before the draft under the league's new contracting mechanism for overseas players.