Mahli Beardman, a 19-year-old seamer from Western Australia, has been added to Australia’s ODI squad as a reserve for the five-match series against England that begins at Trent Bridge on Thursday. The addition of the pacer comes in response to their growing fast-bowling injury list.
19-year-old 6′ 2″ Beardman was a star performer in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, especially when Australia defeated India in the final in Benoni thanks to his Player-of-the-Match winning statistics of 3 for 15.
Even though he has only participated in one List A match thus far in his career, the Perth Scorchers selected him in August for the Big Bash League this year. He is among a group of young fast bowlers in Australia’s setup that the selectors, along with Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson, and Tom Straker, have been closely watching.
His call-up coincides with a spate of injuries among fast bowlers in Australia. While Nathan Ellis had to be pulled from the Scotland portion of the trip due to an aggravated injury he had incurred in the Hundred, Xavier Bartlett suffered a side strain during the first Twenty20 International against England.
Riley Meredith was unable to play following the first Twenty20 International in Scotland, and Spencer Johnson was ruled out prior to the tour starting due to unspecified medical concerns.
Due to his delayed arrival in the UK due to a slight calf issue, Josh Hazlewood was doubtful for the T20I series. However, he contributed significantly to Australia’s triumph in Southampton before being rested for the second game in Cardiff.
Australia’s squad for the ODIs will also be boosted by the arrival 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 | Traveling reserve: Mahli Beardman
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