Big Bash League: Cooper Connolly set to miss Perth Scorchers’ first game with finger injury

Perth Scorchers are staring down an early-season injury crisis, with emerging all-rounder Cooper Connolly almost certain to miss the first match of the tournament. Connolly had surgery after breaking the fourth finger on his left hand while batting in Australia’s one-day international defeat to Pakistan in Perth on November 10. The West Australian understands Connolly’s recovery time is between four and six weeks post-surgery, but the procedure was not completed straight away. The Scorchers’ opening match of the season is a home blockbuster against Melbourne Stars on December 15, exactly five weeks after the injury. Perth are hopeful the 21-year-old, who is sporting a significant cast on his hand, could be available for the early rounds of the tournament. The club plays back-to-back away matches in Hobart on December 21 and in Melbourne against the Renegades on December 23, before returning home to play Brisbane as part of a rapid run of games on Boxing Day. It could leave them with a dearth of spinners as Ashton Agar also races to be fit for the clash. Agar sprained the AC joint in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria earlier this month and has been sporting a sling since returning home. The veteran left-arm spinner is also touch and go for the opening match. Left-arm wrist-spinner Hamish McKenzie left the club to join Melbourne Stars this season, which means Matthew Spoors, who signed with Perth in September, is firming to make a debut in the opening match. They survived another injury scare on Sunday out of WA’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia. Important quick Jhye Richardson went down clutching his troublesome right shoulder after celebrating with teammates but returned to bowl later in the session. Australian coach Andrew McDonald also confirmed Australia’s squad for the first Test in Perth will roll onto Adelaide, which means wicket-keeper Josh Inglis will be in the group. The national team appear set to stick with under-fire batter Marnus Labuschagne, which would mean Inglis’ availability is purely dictated by Cricket Australia staff and whether they release him for games. Mitch Marsh appears almost certain not to feature for the Scorchers this summer. The all-rounder is battling injury niggles and pulled up sore from The West Test, which finished on Monday. While there is a small window for Test players to return to their clubs before the late-January tour of Sri Lanka, it is more likely Marsh’s body will be managed. The Scorchers are eyeing off WA paceman Bryce Jackson, who took six wickets in a one-day match earlier this season, to be their replacement player for Marsh. The West understands Jackson has knocked back interest from Brisbane Heat to stay at the front of the queue for a Scorchers deal.