Cooper Connolly, a 21-year-old Australian spinner, made history in the third One-Day International at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena by taking an incredible five wickets and leading his team to a massive 276-run victory over South Africa. In addition to destroying the Proteas’ batting order, his 5 for 22 spell also smashed a record that had stood for two decades.
Brad Hogg’s 5/32 against the West Indies in Melbourne in 2005 was surpassed by Cooper Connolly effort, which was the best bowling stats by an Australian spinner in men’s ODIs. Alongside the late Shane Warne, Adam Zampa, Michael Clarke, and Hogg himself, he also became one of the Australian spinners with ODI fifers.
Australian spinner’s best bowling numbers in ODIs
Connolly Cooper – 5/22 (South Africa, Mackay, August 24, 2025)
Brad Hogg, 5/32 (match against the West Indies, Melbourne, January 14, 2005)
5/33 (against the West Indies, Sydney, Dec. 8, 1996) Shane Warne
On February 22, 2004, Michael Clarke scored 5/35 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.
Adam Zampa: 5/35 (Cairns, September 8, 2022, vs. New Zealand)
Brad Hogg, 5/41 (match vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, February 20, 2004)
Cooper Connolly is the youngest bowler from Australia to play in ODIs.
He broke the 1987 record set by Craig McDermott, becoming the youngest Australian bowler to take a fifer in ODIs. In ODIs against South Africa, his numbers are third among all Australians, only surpassed by Brett Lee (5/22) and Andy Bichel (5/19). Notably, he has surpassed Warne’s 4/29 from 1999 to record the highest ODI totals ever by an Australian spinner against South Africa.
Australia’s hitters had amassed an incredible 431/2, their second-highest ODI total, prior to Connolly’s valiant efforts with the ball. Mitchell Marsh (100), Cameron Green (118 off 55), and Travis Head (142 off 103) all contributed hundreds to the innings. The team passed the 400-run milestone because to Green’s performance, which featured the second-fastest century by an Australian in ODIs at 47 balls. Alex Carey provided him with strong support (50 off 37).
South Africa never looked in the game as they chased 432. Within the first ten overs, Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott took four wickets. With a 49 off 28 balls, Dewald Brevis attempted to retaliate but was dismissed by Cooper Connolly. Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, and Keshav Maharaj are among Cooper Connolly victims. The visitors ultimately suffered their worst loss in ODI history after being knocked out for just 155 in 24.5 overs.
Their 2023 Eden Gardens loss to India by 243 runs was their worst-ever loss. After their 309-run thumping of the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup, it was Australia’s second-largest ODI victory by runs.
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