Who is Cooper Connolly? Why there is 'a lot to like' about Australia's Test bolter

Cooper Connolly's rapid rise through the Australian cricket ranks has continued, earning a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

The 21-year-old has impressed many during the early stages of his career and always appeared destined for big things on the world stage.

Connolly first represented his country at the U19s World Cup three years ago, captaining the Aussies as they finished third behind India and England in the tournament.

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Since then, Connolly has gone on to thrive in domestic cricket in all three formats of the game, plying his trade for Western Australia and Perth Scorchers.

A versatile batter and left-arm orthodox spinner, Connolly has been turning heads on the domestic scene ever since his match-winning display in the BBL|12 final.

With the game on the line against the Brisbane Heat, the left-hander clobbered 25 from just 11 deliveries - including two sixes - to help the Scorchers to another title.

Connolly has since made his international debut, featuring in the Aussie side's ODI and T20I series against England and Scotland last year, putting himself on the international stage.

However, what few expected was the all-rounder to book himself a spot on the plane for a two-match Test series in the subcontinent after just four Sheffield Shield games.

While it's a small sample size so far, Connolly has scored 309 runs at an average of 61.80 and notched three half-centuries for WA in the first-class competition.

Speaking to media after the announcement of the squad, selector George Bailey heaped praise on the talented youngster and believes he can make an impact at Test level.

"There's a lot to like," Bailey said.

"Technically, we like it. Temperament, we like. Character, we like and obviously skillset, there's a lot to like. On the first-class front, there's not a great deal of games behind him.

"But it's not the first time we have utilised this where he is one that has been around the one-day group and we have in the past sort of used that as a stepping stone to see a player a bit more and find out about how they play.

"He was obviously the beneficiary of that and was picked in the Australia A squad. He is someone we have had our eye on for a period of time and we like what we're seeing.

"Clearly there's a lot of work to go and this will be a really big challenge for him."

Connolly could feature in the middle order for the Aussies, with his ability with ball in hand also a potentially crucial factor in his bid to earn a baggy green.

He turns the ball away from right-hand batters, which is a rarity in the Aussie Test squad.

He could bowl in tandem with off-spinner Nathan Lyon in Sri Lanka.

The series between Australia and Sri Lanka will kick off on January 29.