West Australian young gun Cooper Connolly has received a welcome bonus as he moves into the mix to play against South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead on Friday.

The 23-year-old has triggered Cricket Australia’s contract upgrade after featuring heavily in the white-ball set-up across the last four months and scoring his first international century.

Connolly was not named in the list of centrally contracted players six months ago but has since earned the points required to trigger a pay increase under the memorandum of understanding between CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

Players who earn 12 points across a financial year, with the points accrued by representing the nation at the senior level, with five points for a Test match and two each for a one-day or T20 international, trigger the upgrade.

It also means Queenslander Matthew Renshaw, who is set to open the batting against South Africa on Friday, has also triggered the upgrade that will see the pair earn a minimum of $360,645.

In comparison, a maximum state contract is worth $209,256.

It’s not the only good news for Connolly, who is shaping to play his second Test when the series against the Proteas gets underway.

Connolly made his Test debut in February 2025 against Sri Lanka in Galle, and with fellow West Australian Josh Inglis ruled out of the first Test of the series with a finger fracture, as well as all-rounder Cam Green racing to be fit, the Aussies have need of an all-rounder who can play spin.

The conditions are also likely to suit his left-arm finger spin, with tweaker-friendly conditions.

Connolly picked up 1-32 from six overs on the first day of the tourists’ warm-up match against South Africa A in a show that he is under consideration by skipper Pat Cummins and the selectors.

The Australians used 11 bowlers on the day, but Green did not make an appearance as he battled an adductor strain sustained during the third ODI against South Africa.

He also copped a blow to the groin from a full toss in that match.