Photo Credit: Perth Scorchers
The Perth Scorchers are thrilled to announce a new contract for rising star Cooper Connolly, the day after his match-winning heroics during the 2022-23 KFC Big Bash League Final against Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium.
Connolly will remain in orange until at least the end of BBL|14, signing on for another two years.
“It means a lot to sign on with Perth, especially after tonight,” Connolly said.
“It’s a great feeling to be around the boys, and it’s such a tight group, which makes it even better.
“I’ve learned so much from them, and you don’t realise how much until you’re out there playing. I’ve tried to get under the wings of a few players, listen to them a little bit and get as much out of them as possible.”
The 19-year-old flipped Perth’s fortunes when the BBL|12 Final – and a fifth MBBL title for the Scorchers – was on the line, blasting an unbeaten 25 from 11 balls to guide his team to a famous victory with four deliveries to spare.
Connolly revealed a simple mentality was critical to his success when the pressure was on.
“I just told myself to keep a strong base and if the ball was there to be hit for six, I was going to try to hit it for six,” Connolly said.
“There were a lot of nerves walking out to but but it’s a dream come true. You always want to hit the winning runs or be part of a winning partnership, so it’s something I’ll cherish forever.”
Equally important was the record crowd of 53,886 Members and fans who watched Connolly’s masterclass at The Furnace; the largest crowd for a cricket match in Perth.
The historic attendance eclipsed the previously benchmark of 52,960, set at Optus Stadium during the BBL|07 semi-final between the Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes in 2018.It was also the largest ever crowd at a BBL decider, smashing the previous record of 47,672 set at the BBL|05 Final between the Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder at the MCG.
“I was just in the moment, but when I hit a couple of sixes it was so good,” Connolly said.
“They were so loud, and you felt like they’d get us home. It filled me with so much confidence.”
