Mahli Beardman, Player of the Match in 2024 Under 19 World Cup final, earned his maiden international call-up for Australia in their ODI series against England

Mahli Beardman, player of the match in the 2024 Under 19 World Cup final, earned his maiden international call-up for Australia for their ODI series against England.

Beardman, 19, earned a surprise maiden international call-up to Australia’s upcoming ODI series against England, starting Thursday (September 19). The Western Australian speedster was named a replacement for Xavier Bartlett, who sustained a side strain during the preceding T20Is.

Beardman is known for generating express pace, capable of clocking speeds over 140 kmph. He impressed during his One-Day Cup debut for West Australia against New South Wales last November, dismissing NSW skipper Moises Henriques.

Three months later, Beardman was instrumental in bowling Australia to victory in the Under 19 World Cup final. His 3-15, in which he neutralised three of India's top four batters, earned him the Player of the Match award.

With experience of a List-A match, Beardman was picked up by Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Perth Scorchers this year and is one of Australia’s most exciting young fast-bowling prospects.

Beardman added to bolster Australia’s depleted pace attack

The Australia camp has been ravaged by several injury concerns to their pacers. Barring Bartlett, Nathan Ellis missed the last two T20Is against Scotland due to aggravating a hamstring injury sustained in The Hundred and was ruled out of the entire UK tour.

Spencer Johnson was also ruled out before the tour started, and Riley Meredith missed the first T20I against Scotland, with both suffering from side strain.

After joining the squad late owing to a calf strain, Josh Hazlewood played a hand in Australia’s win in Southampton before being rested for the second game in Cardiff.

Australia squad for England ODIs

Mitchell Marsh (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshius, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Mahli Beardman, Adam Zampa.

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.