Cooper Connolly’s rapid rise in Australian cricket has earned its biggest individual recognition yet, with the Western Australia all-rounder named the 2026 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year. At just 22, Connolly has already ticked off international debuts in all three formats and become one of the most trusted match-winners in domestic cricket.
The award recognises a remarkable 12 months that began with Connolly dominating last summer’s Big Bash League (BBL), where he was joint Player of the Tournament. This season he has gone a step further, taking 13 wickets at 15.38 while maintaining an economy of 6.66, the best among the top 10 wicket-takers. With the bat, he struck consecutive half-centuries at the start of BBL 15 for the Perth Scorchers.
Connolly admitted the honour left him humbled, especially given the names on the trophy. “The award is named after the Don, so it’s special to be part of that group. When you see previous winners like Brett Lee, Shane Watson and David Warner, it’s pretty surreal,” he said. “There’s been so much cricket, I haven’t really had time to soak it all in.”
Connolly rewarded for breakout season
Connolly’s leap from domestic standout to international contributor has been heartening to watch. He led Australia at the Under-19 World Cup 2022, where they lost to eventual winners India.
Connolly made his T20I and ODI debuts in 2024 before earning a Baggy Green in Sri Lanka last February after only four first-class matches. His maiden ODI five-for, 5-22 against South Africa in Mackay, made him the youngest Australian man to achieve the feat. Weeks later, an unbeaten 61 off 53 against India in Adelaide showed he has the temperament of an experienced international and not of a rookie. That series played a part in Connolly gaining the interest of IPL teams at the IPL 2026 mini auction, where the Punjab Kings (PBKS) paid Rs 3 crore to acquire him as a possible replacement for Glenn Maxwell.
The left-hander becomes the fourth West Australian in the last decade to win the prize after Hilton Cartwright, Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris. South Australia’s Jake Lehmann was named Domestic Player of the Year.
Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year Award Winners list
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Brett Lee |
| 2001 | Nathan Bracken |
| 2002 | Shane Watson |
| 2003 | Nathan Hauritz |
| 2004 | Shaun Tait |
| 2005 | Mark Cosgrove |
| 2006 | Dan Cullen |
| 2007 | Ben Hilfenhaus |
| 2008 | Luke Pomersbach |
| 2009 | Phillip Hughes |
| 2010 | John Hastings |
| 2011 | Trent Copeland |
| 2012 | David Warner |
| 2013 | Joe Burns |
| 2014 | Jordan Silk |
| 2015 | Sean Abbott |
| 2016 | Alex Ross |
| 2017 | Hilton Cartwright |
| 2018 | Jhye Richardson |
| 2019 | Will Pucovski |
| 2020 | Wes Agar |
| 2021 | Will Sutherland |
| 2022 | Tim Ward |
| 2023 | Lance Morris |
| 2024 | Fergus O’Neill |
| 2025 | Sam Konstas |
| 2026 | Cooper Connolly |
