In a significant move that could reshape the San Francisco Unicorns’ trajectory in Major League Cricket (MLC), Australian allrounder Cooper Connolly has officially signed with the franchise ahead of the 2025 season.
The 21-year-old sensation—already touted as one of the most versatile emerging talents in Australian cricket—brings with him a potent blend of youthful audacity, T20 experience, and international exposure that positions him as a crucial piece in the Unicorns’ ambitions for title contention.
📢 MLC Player Signing Alert
— T20 Franchise Rosters (Men) (@t20tracker) April 16, 2025
San Francisco Unicorns have signed young Australian all rounder Cooper Connolly for the upcoming edition of MLC.
SFU Overseas Players :
Haris Rauf 🇵🇰
Finn Allen 🇳🇿
Jake Fraser McGurk 🇦🇺
Matthew Short 🇦🇺
Cooper Connolly 🇦🇺#MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/n4CmV1e8Ps
An All-Format Prodigy with T20 Stardom Roots
Connolly’s journey through the ranks of international cricket has been marked by rapid ascension and pivotal performances. After making his international debut across all three formats since September 2024, he has already left an indelible mark.
Yet, it was in the shortest format—T20 cricket—that his name was first etched into public consciousness. His match-winning performance in the 2022-23 Big Bash League (BBL) final, where he carried Perth Scorchers to a title in just his fourth appearance, highlighted his clutch temperament and fearless stroke play.
Returning from a thumb injury that briefly curtailed his rise, Connolly delivered a commanding performance in the 2024-25 BBL season, amassing 351 runs at an average of 50.14 with a strike rate of 131.46. These exploits earned him Joint Player of the Tournament honors alongside the mercurial Glenn Maxwell—no small feat for a player in his early twenties.
A Tactical Advantage for the Unicorns
The San Francisco Unicorns, under the stewardship of former Australian allrounder Shane Watson, have secured more than just a left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox spinner—they’ve added a player whose game awareness and adaptability defy his years.
Watson emphasized Connolly’s all-round prowess as a “key asset” for the upcoming MLC campaign, praising the young star’s maturity and international experience.
This signing not only deepens the Unicorns’ batting lineup but also adds a strategic left-arm spin option—an increasingly valuable asset in T20 cricket where variation in bowling angles and trajectories can make a measurable difference.
MLC Timing Could Bolster World Cup Aspirations
Connolly’s involvement in MLC aligns seamlessly with his pursuit of a place in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad for the 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
With the West Indies Test series overlapping with the MLC calendar, Connolly—unlikely to feature in the red-ball squad—finds himself with an ideal window to impress selectors through white-ball exploits on the American stage.
Importantly, the conclusion of MLC precedes Australia’s next T20I series, giving players like Connolly a platform to showcase form and fitness in competitive conditions. As selectors weigh the balance of their squad, particularly in spin-friendly subcontinental conditions, Connolly’s left-arm spin could become a decisive factor in final selections.
Battling Giants and Making Statements
Despite a disappointing outing as an emergency opener in the Champions Trophy semi-final against India, where he scored a duck, Connolly displayed composure with the ball, removing Rohit Sharma and nearly dismissing Virat Kohli.
That performance highlighted a valuable trait—the ability to contribute even when conditions aren’t ideal—a hallmark of all great allrounders.
His presence in the MLC further reflects the league’s growing appeal among top-tier international players. Alongside names like Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, Connolly is part of a broader Australian contingent strengthening the competitive fabric of the tournament.
Australia’s Youthful Depth on Display
Australia’s depth in white-ball cricket has never been more apparent. The emergence of Connolly symbolizes a generational shift.
At just 21, he has donned the Baggy Green, debuted in white-ball internationals, and is now preparing for a high-stakes MLC campaign. Each of these milestones suggests that Connolly is not merely a prospect—but a cornerstone in the making for Australian cricket’s next chapter.
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Cooper Connolly sure loves orange ☺️ 🧡
— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) April 16, 2025
Connolly's signing with the San Francisco Unicorns will be his overseas T20 franchise debut!!! We can't wait to watch him soar at the Oakland Coliseum starting June 12 🦄 🙌 #CognizantPlayerSigning #MLC2025 pic.twitter.com/pkTTAnlLhq
Conclusion
As MLC continues to stake its claim in the global cricket landscape, acquisitions like Cooper Connolly elevate its status and competitive integrity. For Connolly, this season could serve as a defining chapter—a proving ground where raw promise meets elite performance.
The stage is set, the stakes are high, and all eyes will be on the San Francisco Unicorns’ latest signing as he sets foot on American soil with a bat in one hand, a spinning ball in the other, and a World Cup dream in sight.
