AUS vs SA 2025: Cooper Connolly breaks 20-year-old record with fifer in 3rd ODI

In the 3rd ODI at Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, 21-year-old Australian spinner Cooper Connolly registered his name in the history books with a remarkable five-wicket haul, guiding his team to a mammoth 276-run win over South Africa. His spell of 5 for 22 not only dismantled the Proteas’ batting order but also broke a two-decade-old record.

Connolly’s performance was the best bowling figures by an Australian spinner in men’s ODIs, surpassing Brad Hogg’s 5/32 against the West Indies in Melbourne back in 2005. He also joined a list of Aussie spinners with ODI fifers, alongside late Shane Warne, Adam Zampa, Michael Clarke, and Hogg himself.

Best bowling figures by Australian spinner in ODIs

Cooper Connolly – 5/22 (vs South Africa, Mackay, 24 Aug 2025)

Brad Hogg – 5/32 (vs West Indies, Melbourne, 14 Jan 2005)

Shane Warne – 5/33 (vs West Indies, Sydney, 8 Dec 1996)

Michael Clarke – 5/35 (vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 22 Feb 2004)

Adam Zampa – 5/35 (vs New Zealand, Cairns, 8 Sep 2022)

Brad Hogg – 5/41 (vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 20 Feb 2004)

Connolly becomes youngest Australian bowler to take a fifer in ODIs

He became the youngest Australian bowler to take a fifer in ODIs, breaking Craig McDermott’s record set in 1987. His figures also stand as the third-best by any Australian in ODIs against South Africa, only behind Andy Bichel (5/19) and Brett Lee (5/22). Notably, he now has the best-ever ODI figures by an Australian spinner against South Africa, surpassing Warne’s 4/29 from 1999.

Before Connolly’s heroics with the ball, Australia’s batters had posted a massive 431/2, their second-highest ODI total. The innings was built on centuries from Travis Head (142 off 103), skipper Mitchell Marsh (100), and a knock by Cameron Green (118 off 55). Green’s innings, which included a 47-ball century, the second-fastest by an Australian in ODIs, helped the team to go past the 400-run mark. He was well supported by Alex Carey (50 off 37). 

Chasing 432, South Africa never looked in the game. Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett picked up four wickets inside the first 10 overs. Dewald Brevis tried to counterattack with a 49 off 28 balls, but perished, courtesy of Connolly. Connolly’s victims include Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, and Keshav Maharaj. The visitors were eventually bowled out for just 155 in 24.5 overs, suffering their heaviest defeat in ODI history.

The loss surpassed their previous worst, a 243-run defeat to India at Eden Gardens in 2023. For Australia, it was their second-largest ODI win by runs, only behind their 309-run thrashing of the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup.