Mahli Beardman: WA paceman in frame to make ODI debut against England in Perth

WA’s Mahli Beardman is set to be unleashed for the first time at ODI level this month, with an Optus Stadium debut looming against England.

Beardman was named in a 14-man ODI squad that will play three fixtures against England, beginning in Perth next Friday.

The Dunsborough product is one of five West Aussies in that squad, joining captain Mitch Marsh and a trio of players who have finished Test commitments in South Africa in Cam Green, Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly.

Beardman is likely to get a chance to show his wares in a pace attack that will be without the rested Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

The 21-year-old last month produced an eye-catching display in an Australia A match against India A in what was his third game back since overcoming a stress injury in his back, snaring 4-23 and reaching speeds in excess of 140km/ph.

“Mahli Beardman’s recent performances for Australia A were impressive and we are incredibly excited for his return to the national team across the ODI and T20 formats,” Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said.

“We think he can continue to develop into an all-format player across the coming years.”

Beardman last month said he was keen to make the most of any potential call-up after being blooded at international level in a T20 fixture in Pakistan earlier this year.

“If there’s any international opportunity, I’ll try and grab that with both hands,” he said.

“I’m just wanting to play some good cricket for WA at the moment. I’m just enjoying being back on the park, to be honest.”

Beardman joins Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson as pacemen for the ODI series, with allrounders Jack Edwards and Liam Scott also on hand. Spin veteran Adam Zampa and Marsh are the sole members of the squad to have taken more than 28 ODI wickets, though the latter hasn’t bowled in the format for more than two years.

Beardman was also named in the squad for five T20 internationals that will follow the ODI matches, with that series beginning on November 21.

The 14-player T20 squad features potential debutants in Lachlan Shaw and Sam Harper, with the likes of Travis Head, Matt Renshaw and Green rested amid a hectic schedule.

“We are in the middle of a highly demanding phase of our schedule,” Bailey said.

”Our multi-format players are transitioning directly from the tour of South Africa into an ODI and T20 series, leaving a narrow window to ensure the squad is physically prepared and fresh for the upcoming New Zealand Test series.

“Then, from when the Test players assemble in Perth through to the conclusion of the 150th anniversary Test against England, the team will have been on the road for more than 100 days.

“To manage this workload, each player’s build-up to the New Zealand series will be carefully planned and focused on individual’s physical and mental preparation.”

Australian ODI squad

For matches on Nov 13 (Perth), Nov 15 (Adelaide) & Nov 18 (Hobart)

• Mitchell Marsh (c)
• Xavier Bartlett
• Mahli Beardman
• Alex Carey
• Cooper Connolly
• Jack Edwards
• Cameron Green
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Spencer Johnson
• Ollie Peake
• Matthew Renshaw
• Liam Scott
• Adam Zampa

Australian T20 squad

For matches on Nov 21 (Melbourne), Nov 24 (Gold Coast), Nov 27 (Brisbane), Nov 29 (Sydney) & Dec 2 (Canberra)

• Mitchell Marsh (c)
• Xavier Bartlett
• Mahli Beardman
• Nikhil Chaudhary
• Tim David
• Joel Davies
• Jack Edwards
• Nathan Ellis
• Jake Fraser-McGurk
• Sam Harper
• Spencer Johnson
• Mitchell Owen
• Lachlan Shaw
• Adam Zampa