Cooper Connolly played a pivotal role in Australia’s narrow victory over Bangladesh in the third One Day International (ODI) on Sunday night in Dhaka. The left-handed batsman scored 149 runs off 134 deliveries, anchoring the chase as Australia edged home with three balls remaining, finishing at 9-277 against Bangladesh’s total of 5-274.

Connolly’s innings stood out in challenging conditions, marked by high humidity and a deteriorating pitch. Displaying an aggressive yet composed style, he struck 13 fours and six sixes, offering a glimpse into his red-ball cricket mindset applied within a limited-overs format. Reflecting on his approach after the match, Connolly emphasized the similarity between his ODI and red-ball strategies, noting his preference for scoring fluently and reacting instinctively to the deliveries faced, rather than following a rigid plan.

“It was just working with the guy at the other end and trying to play good cricket shots,” Connolly said, highlighting the traditional facets of his batting that resonated with experiences of established Australian players like Travis Head.

Connolly’s contributions proved crucial as he kept Australia competitive during a tense chase, particularly in the 45th over when he hit three sixes that brought the target within reach. Despite his efforts, Australia endured a late collapse, losing wickets quickly in pursuit of the final runs. Connolly himself was dismissed heartbreakingly, having dragged a delivery onto his stumps while attempting to secure the winning boundary.

Speaking afterwards, Connolly acknowledged the physical and mental toll of his innings, describing how fatigue set in during the closing stages of the match. Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction in playing a role in securing the win, underscoring the pride and excitement of representing Australia on the international stage.

“It was tough towards the end,” he admitted. “I felt like my body was all in shock and not wanting to move. It’s always nice to play a game for Australia, let alone win a game for Australia.”

Australia’s victory in Dhaka extends their lead in the series and underscores the emergence of Connolly as a potentially key figure in their limited-overs lineup. His emphasis on traditional batting values despite the increasing lure of shorter formats suggests a balanced approach that may serve the team well in both white-ball and red-ball cricket moving forward.