Cooper Connolly caught out as late collapse restricts Australia to just 236 in final ODI against India

Scott Bailey

AAP

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6 hours ago

Updated

2 hours ago

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw of Australia look on as they wait for the LBW review outcome during game three of the One Day International series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images) Credit: Ayush Kumar/Getty Images

Cooper Connolly could not repeat his Adelaide heroics, unable to stop a late Australian collapse as they were rolled for just 236 in their final ODI against India in Sydney.

The hosts appeared to be in a position of power at 3-183 in the 34th over on Saturday afternoon, before losing 7-53 to be all out 13 overs later.

Matt Renshaw top-scored for Australia with 56, while Mitch Marsh produced the only six of the innings with a booming pull shot, before being bowled by Axar Patel for 41.

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But after giving themselves the platform to launch from in the later overs, Australia were unable to capitalise with no batter able to go on to a match-winning knock.

Harshit Rana first had Alex Carey (24) well caught by Shreyas Iyer running back at point, before Renshaw fell lbw trying to work Washington Sundar to the legside.

Mitchell Owen followed when he edged Rana (4-39) to slip, and Mitchell Starc was then bowled by wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the next over.

At that point the hosts had lost 4-18 in five overs.

Matt Renshaw top-scored with a half-century for Australia, before the tourists fought back. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Connolly (23) and Nathan Ellis (16) led a brief recovery, but Rana ultimately ran through the tail to claim career-best figures.

The WA allrounder attempted to marshal the tail but fell after slicing his flat bat shot up to wide-long off.

All eyes will be on Virat Kohli in India’s chase, with this match likely to be his last international in Australia and the superstar batter coming off two straight ducks.

Renshaw’s runs were another reminder that he is a man in form ahead of the Ashes, after posting a century in his only Sheffield Shield game for Queensland.

But the left-hander will be ruing the fact he did not go on and make a statement, after scores of 21 not out and 30 in the first two ODIs.

The 29-year-old remains in contention to open for Australia in the first Test against England in Perth, albeit only if the hosts want Marnus Labuschagne to return at No.3.

But even if the door does not open at the start of the series, a chance likely looms in the next year, with Usman Khawaja aged 38 and no guarantee to play on beyond this summer.

Originally published on AAP