Emerging Fast Bowler Receives First Senior Selection Following Series of Bowling Injuries
In response to a rising list of fast-bowling injuries, Australia has included 19-year-old Mahli Beardman, a promising seamer from Western Australia, in their ODI squad for the five-match series against England, beginning Thursday at Trent Bridge.
At 6ft 2in, Beardman shone during the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, notably earning Player-of-the-Match honours with impressive figures of 3 for 15 in Australia's final victory over India in Benoni. Although he has only played a single List A match in his career thus far, he was recently signed by Perth Scorchers for the upcoming Big Bash League, joining a group of talented young fast bowlers, including Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson, and Tom Straker, whom selectors have been evaluating closely.
Beardman's selection comes as Australia grapples with several injuries in their fast-bowling ranks. Xavier Bartlett suffered a side strain in the first T20I against England, while Nathan Ellis was sidelined after aggravating a pre-existing injury from the Hundred during the Scotland leg of the tour. Additionally, Spencer Johnson was ruled out before the tour commenced, and Riley Meredith sat out after the initial T20I in Scotland, both due to side injuries.
Josh Hazlewood faced uncertainty leading into the T20I series following a minor calf strain, yet played a pivotal role in Australia's victory in Southampton before being rested for the second match in Cardiff. Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, mentioned last week that they will closely oversee the fitness of key bowlers Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, in anticipation of a five-Test home series against India later this year.
"A lot of our priorities will be geared around that," McDonald told SEN last week. "You'll see that unfold with the management of our players, ensuring they are prepared for that first Test match."
Beardman, along with Cooper Connolly—who was part of the T20I squad—has been training with the Australian team in Perth for the past two summers under Cricket Australia’s Under-19 induction program. Connolly will remain in the UK with the ODI squad, as will Ben Dwarshuis, who has also been named as cover for the rest of the tour.
The ODI squad is set to be strengthened by the return of Starc, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell.
Australia ODI Squad vs. England: 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.