Australia add U19 World Cup winner to squad as reserve
With mounting injury concerns, Australia have added the 19-year-old Mahli Beardman as a cover to their ODI squad against England.
Beardman starred in Australia’s successful ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024 campaign, with a Player of the Match performance (3/15 against India) in the final. Beardman had 10 scalps at an average of 10.5 in six games of the tournament.
The promising lanky pacer was also picked up by BBL franchise Perth Scorchers recently. His addition comes at a time when a number of Australia pacers have suffered a spate of injuries.
Mahli Beardman's 3/15 won him the Player of the Match award in the final.
Regular ODI skipper Pat Cummins is not a part of the lineup, whereas side issues ruled out Spencer Johnson (before the tour began), and Riley Meredith (after the first Scotland T20I). Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis also missed out due to injuries.
Fortunately for Australia, they will have the services of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood (who is coming off a calf strain) in their pace department.
Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), 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
Travelling reserve: Mahli Beardman
The three-match T20I series between the two sides finished in a draw after the series decider in Manchester was washed out.
Schedule:
19 September, 1st ODI, Nottingham
21 September, 2nd ODI, Leeds
24 September, 3rd ODI, Chester-le-Street
27 September, 4th ODI, Lord’s
29 September, 5th ODI, Bristol