Debutant Cooper Connolly roasted for ‘terrible shot’ as Aussies collapse in second Test against Sri Lanka

Australian debutant Cooper Connolly has endured a nightmare first innings in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

With only four first-class matches to his name, the batting allrounder was handed a whirlwind Test debut this week for the second and final match of the series.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Connolly out cheaply.

Connolly had been brought in at the expense of frontline spinner Todd Murphy to boost Australia’s batting firepower on a pitch predicted to play plenty of tricks.

But the experiment backfired in spectacular fashion.

The 21-year-old came to the crease with the Aussies at 6-373 and was nearly out for a golden duck when an absolute peach by Nishan Peiris beat the outside edge.

He made it off the mark with an uncontrolled top edge from Prabath Jayasuriya that dropped less than a metre from Dimuth Karunaratne and rolled over the rope at deep backward square leg.

But only two deliveries later, Connolly advanced down the wicket and caught an edge from Peiris that sailed up to the fielder at backward point.

“I’m just wondering if that’s the way he plays cricket, or was he overawed by the situation?” The Sri Lankan commentator asked Australian great Simon Katich.

“I think he’s an aggressive young player, and he has just been undone there by Nishan Peiris, who has been very good today,” Katich responded.

“Both spinners have built up pressure, and this is what it does.

“He goes against the line of the ball there. Just catches the outside edge, and skews out to backward point, where Ramesh Mendis takes a comfortable catch.

“So, a disappointing end for Cooper Connolly.”

While Katich offered a measured response, fans watching from home were scathing in their assessment of the shot and selectors for picking him.

“Cooper Connolly great young player, and it probably won’t matter, but a bizarre selection in my opinion when there’s specialist batsmen who play spin well like (Nathan) McSweeney on tour. He bowled 3 overs, so don’t give me the all-rounder spiel…” one fan said.

“The selectors have made some good choices, but I think that was a mistake to drop Todd Murphy for Cooper Connolly,” another said.

“It’s his debut and undoubtably would have been nervous in his first bat, but Connolly looked way out of his depth,” another fan said.

“If that’s how he actually plays, his name shouldn’t even be thought about when selecting teams. Good T20 player, not built for Test,” another said.

“Terrible shot, probably just first game nerves,” another said.

“Kid’s got talent but you really should have to score a first class ton before getting a gig in the Test team,” another added.

Connolly may yet have the chance to make his impact felt in the second innings.

The West Australian bowled only three overs of his part-time offspin for figures of 0-12 in Sri Lanka’s first dig, but bowling coach Dan Vettori had flagged he may be thrown the ball more as the pitch broke down.

Connolly’s wicket came in the middle of a brutal session for the tourists on Day 3.

Resuming at 3-330, Steve Smith (131), Josh Inglis (0) and Alex Carey (156) all fell before Connolly’s wicket.

And the remaining wickets quickly followed, with Australia eventually all out 414.

More to come ...

- With AAP