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Cooper Connolly, the young Australian all-rounder, created history on Sunday with a sensational spell in the third ODI against South Africa at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena. The left-arm spinner tore through the Proteas’ batting order, guiding Australia to a resounding 276-run win. The result denied South Africa a clean sweep, as the visitors had already claimed the first two matches of the series.
Cooper Connolly breaks two-decade-old record
Connolly’s magical figures of 6-0-22-5 not only won garnered him widespread praises but also ensured his name was etched into Australian cricketing history. He surpassed Brad Hogg’s 20-year-old record of 10-0-32-5 against the West Indies in 2005, becoming the spinner with the best bowling figures for Australia in ODI history. Remarkably, Connolly achieved this feat in only his fifth ODI appearance, placing himself among an elite group of Aussie spinners with five-wicket hauls.
5 best bowling figures by Australian spinners in ODIs
5) Adam Zampa – vs New Zealand, 2022
Adam Zampa proved his class in Cairns when he dismantled New Zealand’s batting during the second ODI on September 8, 2022. The leg-spinner finished with figures of 9-0-35-5, helping Australia dominate their trans-Tasman rivals, bundling them all out for just 82 in their chase of 196 and winning the contest by 113 runs.
4) Michael Clarke – vs Sri Lanka, 2004
Before becoming one of Australia’s most successful captains, Michael Clarke showed his utility with the ball. In Dambulla on February 22, 2004, Clarke spun a web around Sri Lanka, picking up 7.5-0-35-5, a performance that remains one of the finest by a part-time spinner in ODI cricket. While the game was a thriller where the hosts won by a solitary run, Clarke’s splendid performance with the ball became the major talking point from the contest.
Also READ: Fans react as Australia destroy South Africa by 276 runs in third ODI to avoid series whitewash
3) Shane Warne – vs West Indies, 1996
The legendary Shane Warne showcased his brilliance in Sydney on December 8, 1996, against the West Indies. Warne’s clever variations and accuracy earned him 9.3-1-33-5, a spell that cemented his status as a match-winner in limited-overs cricket. His brilliant bowling helped Australia pack Windies for 161 before chasing down the target in 42 overs.
2) Brad Hogg – vs West Indies, 2005
On January 14, 2005, at the MCG, Brad Hogg produced a clinical performance to dismantle the West Indies. His left-arm chinaman bowling returned 10-0-32-5, which stood as the best by an Australian spinner for two decades before Connolly surpassed it. Hogg’s sensational bowling helped Aussies register an emphatic win by 116 runs.
1) Cooper Connolly – vs South Africa, 2025
The latest entry into this illustrious list, Connolly’s 6-0-22-5 in Mackay on August 24, 2025, was nothing short of remarkable. His aggressive approach and ability to keep the batters guessing not only broke a longstanding record but also announced his arrival as the next big name in Australian cricket.
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