Australia add Mahli Beardman as cover for England ODIs

Mahli Beardman, who was one of the best performers in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, has been called up to the Australia squad as a cover for the five-match ODI series against England, starting on September 19 in Nottingham.

Australia are struggling with a lot of injuries in the pace department. Xavier Bartlett suffered a side strain during the first T20I against England, while Spencer Johnson and Riley Meredith are also out injured. Nathan Ellis hasn’t played since sustaining a hamstring injury during the Hundred but is part of the ODI squad.

Beardman has only played one List A game but impressed everyone in this year’s Under-19 World Cup, which Australia won by defeating India in the final. The right-arm fast bowler picked up 10 wickets in six games at an average of 10.50. He claimed 3/15 in the final against India and was named Player of the Match. He has also been picked by Perth Scorchers for this year's Big Bash League (BBL).

Australia’s pace department will be boosted by the return of Mitchell Starc, who was rested for the T20I series. Josh Hazlewood, Ellis and Sean Abbott are the other seamers in the squad. There are also Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie, who can chip in if and when needed. Ben Dwarshuis is also in the squad as cover. 

Updated squad - Mitchell Marsh (c), 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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