Australia Rests Debutant Mahli Beardman for Second ODI, Ben Dwarshuis Joins T20I Squad
Australia's cricket management has opted to rest breakthrough fast bowler Mahli Beardman for Sunday's second One-Day International against England at the Adelaide Oval, citing a need to manage his workload. Concurrently, left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis has been added to the T20I squad after Nathan Ellis was ruled out due to injury.
The 21-year-old Beardman impressed spectators with a sensational start to his ODI career, claiming 6-24 in Friday's opener at Perth. These figures stand as the best by an Australian men's bowler on debut, significantly contributing to the hosts' seven-wicket victory. He also became the first Australian bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in men's ODIs before turning 22, surpassing Mitchell Starc's 4-27 against Sri Lanka in November 2010.
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed Beardman's management for the Adelaide fixture as he builds capacity following recent injuries. He is slated to rejoin the side for the third ODI in Hobart on Wednesday. Beardman previously faced a seven-month layoff due to a stress fracture in his back, which resurfaced after his T20I debut against Pakistan. Fast bowler Riley Meredith has also joined the ODI squad for the final two matches, alongside all-rounder Liam Scott, both considered likely candidates to feature in the Adelaide playing eleven in Beardman's absence. Meredith recently secured four wickets for Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield defeat to Queensland.
Meanwhile, Ben Dwarshuis's inclusion marks a potential return to international action, his first since the ODI series in Bangladesh in June. He replaces Nathan Ellis, who has not fully recovered from a left side strain sustained during Australia's ODI series defeat to South Africa in September. The T20I series against England is set to commence in Melbourne on Saturday.
Australia enters these matches with a strong record against England, having won 10 of their last 12 ODIs, including the most recent three consecutively. England, conversely, has struggled away from home, losing 15 of their last 18 ODIs, with their only victories in that period coming against Sri Lanka. In the series opener at Perth, England managed just 131, their lowest first-innings total in the format since making 110 against India in July 2022.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News
