Cooper Connolly has announced himself on the international stage with a stunning maiden ODI century, guiding Australia to a dramatic one-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third and final one-day international in Dhaka.
The 22-year-old left-hander produced a career-defining 149 from 133 balls at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, helping Australia chase down Bangladesh’s 5-274 with just three deliveries remaining.
The victory spared Australia a 3-0 series defeat, although Bangladesh still claimed the series 2-1 after winning the opening two matches.
Connolly’s innings was the centrepiece of a tense Australian chase that almost collapsed in the final overs. After appearing comfortable at 5-266, Australia lost four wickets for just five runs, slumping to 9-271.
Connolly, battling cramps in hot and humid conditions, was dismissed in the 49th over with four runs still needed, chopping on to Mustafizur Rahman after carrying Australia to the edge of victory.
Adam Zampa then sealed the match in the final over, driving Taskin Ahmed through the covers for four to complete one of Australia’s most nerve-racking ODI wins in recent memory.
Connolly later said the physical toll of the innings had been severe.
“Tough towards the end,” he said.
“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.”
It was Connolly’s first century not only in international cricket, but also across senior List-A and first-class formats. His previous highest ODI score was 61 not out, making the innings a major breakthrough for a player still early in his international career.
His 149 included 13 fours and six sixes and is understood to sit among the highest individual ODI scores by an Australian.
Connolly said he was disappointed not to finish the chase himself, but praised Australia’s lower order for getting the job done.
“I was obviously a little disappointed in myself because I’d done all the hard work to get to that position,” he said.
“It would have been nice to carry your bat through the whole innings.
“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.”
The innings was built on aggression and composure. Connolly and stand-in captain Josh Inglis set the tone early by taking on Bangladesh’s new-ball attack, refusing to allow the hosts to control the run chase.
Marnus Labuschagne made 29, while Cameron Green and Ollie Peake added 27 each, but no other Australian batter came close to Connolly’s contribution.
Bangladesh, chasing a historic clean sweep against Australia, were kept in the contest by left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam, who took 6-48 and nearly delivered a famous victory for the hosts.
Shoriful’s late burst triggered panic in the Australian dressing room and turned what looked like a controlled chase into a last-over scramble.
Bangladesh had earlier posted a competitive 274, with Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, and Mosaddek Hossain helping the home side set a challenging target.
The result ended what had been a difficult ODI series for Australia. Bangladesh had already secured its first ODI series win over Australia before the final match, and the tourists entered the third game under pressure to avoid a clean sweep.
Australia’s struggles in the series were underlined by a disastrous start in the second ODI, when they lost their first three wickets without scoring a run.
Connolly’s century, therefore, provided not only a match-winning performance but also a rare bright spot from a tour in which Australia’s next generation has been tested in difficult subcontinental conditions.
The young Western Australian said his attacking style had helped him adapt to ODI cricket.
“Looking into it, ODI cricket is quite similar to how I play my red-ball cricket,” Connolly said.
“I like to be aggressive, and I like to score.
“That’s the whole point of batting in the powerplay; you want to be aggressive and put guys under pressure.”
Australia now turns its attention to the T20 leg of the Bangladesh tour, with the next match scheduled for Wednesday evening.
For Bangladesh, the narrow defeat will sting, but the series win remains a major achievement and a sign of the side’s growing confidence against top-tier opposition.
For Australia, the final ODI belonged to Connolly.
On a difficult night in Dhaka, battling heat, pressure and a late collapse around him, he played the innings that stopped a whitewash and gave Australia a glimpse of a player who may become central to its white-ball future.
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