Australian News Today

Australia flies unknown teenager into squad for England ODIs to boost depleted pace stocks

Australia flies unknown teenager into squad for England ODIs to boost depleted pace stocks

Australia’s depleted fast-bowling stocks have prompted it to put under-19s World Cup winner Mahli Beardman on stand-by for their ODIs against England.

Beardman, who was player of the final in Australia’s under-19s win last year, has been asked to tour with Australia in England for the next fortnight.

The right-arm quick has played only one match for Western Australia, and took 3-15 against India in last year’s 50-over World Cup final in South Africa.

Officials have confirmed the main objective of taking Beardman on the tour is to give him experience within the Australian set-up.

But the 19-year-old is now an outside chance of earning a debut in England, across the five ODIs.

Beardman’s call-up comes after injuries to Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith.

Mahli Beardman took three wickets to be player of the match in the Under 19 World Cup final. (Getty Images: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Pat Cummins has also been rested from the tour, with Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis the out-and-out quicks on tour.

Australia also confirmed on Monday that 21-year-old Cooper Connolly would also remain on the England tour for the ODIs, with the first match on Thursday at Trent Bridge.

Australia will face an England side with a new stand-in captain, Harry Brook, during the first ODI at Nottingham.

That’s because England revealed their squad will again be without captain Jos Buttler, as he recovers from his calf injury, leaving them to turn to the exciting batter Brook to take the helm.

Their promising 20-year-old pacer Josh Hull is also out of the series with a quad injury, but in-form Livingstone, match-winner with bat and ball in the T20 at Cardiff, has been drafted into the squad too.

AAP