Australia Strengthens ODI Squad with Youth

In response to a series of injuries plaguing their fast-bowling ranks, Australia has called up 19-year-old Mahli Beardman, a promising seamer from Western Australia, for the upcoming five-match ODI series against England, starting Thursday at Trent Bridge.

Beardman, who stands 6ft 2in, made headlines during the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, especially for his Player-of-the-Match performance where he claimed 3 for 15 in Australia’s win over India in the final in Benoni.

Despite having just one List A match to his name, Beardman was signed by the Perth Scorchers for the Big Bash League in August. He is part of a group of emerging fast bowlers, including Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson, and Tom Straker, who have been closely monitored by the selectors.

His selection comes at a time when several Australian pacers are sidelined with injuries. Xavier Bartlett suffered a side strain during the first T20I against England, while Nathan Ellis was withdrawn from the Scotland leg of the tour after aggravating a previous injury during the Hundred tournament. 

Additionally, Spencer Johnson was ruled out before the tour started, and Riley Meredith couldn’t play after the first T20I in Scotland due to side issues. Although Josh Hazlewood arrived in the UK with a minor calf strain, he played a crucial role in Australia’s win in Southampton before being rested for the second match in Cardiff.

In a recent interview, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald said they are keeping a close watch on the fitness of their “big three” fast bowlers—Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc—as they prepare for an important five-Test home series against India later this year. McDonald indicated that player management would focus on ensuring their readiness for the first Test, which will also affect their participation in Sheffield Shield cricket leading into the summer.

Beardman, along with Cooper Connolly, who was part of the T20I squad, has been part of Cricket Australia's Under-19 induction program and has spent the past two summers on the Australian bench in Perth. Connolly, along with Ben Dwarshuis, will remain in the UK as additional cover for the remainder of the tour.

The ODI squad will be further strengthened by the arrivals of Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell.

Australia’s ODI Squad Against England:

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa | Traveling reserve: Mahli Beardman