Cricket Australia name squads for England series; Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rested

Australia Name Squads for England Series as Mahli Beardman Earns Recall

Cricket Australia has announced its one-day international and T20 international squads for the upcoming home series against England, with fast bowler Mahli Beardman among the most notable selections. The Western Australian quick has been recalled in both formats after impressing on Australia A’s recent tour of India and could make his ODI debut during the three-match series.

The England tour will open with three ODIs on November 13, 15 and 18 in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, before the sides meet in five T20Is. The fixtures give Australia a chance to test emerging talent against a strong opponent while continuing to shape its white-ball combinations.

Beardman Gets Another Chance to Impress

Beardman’s performances in India helped secure his return to the national setup. The young pacer troubled India A batters with his pace during the 50-over matches, strengthening his case for opportunities at senior level. He has already played one T20I, in January 2026, but is yet to feature in an ODI.

Australia’s chair of selectors, George Bailey, said the selectors were encouraged by Beardman’s recent progress and see long-term potential across formats.

“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,” Bailey said. He added that the team believes Beardman can continue developing into an all-format player in the coming years.

A place in both squads gives the quick a valuable opportunity to adapt to different demands. In ODIs, he may be asked to maintain control across longer spells, while the T20 format will test his ability to execute under pressure and vary his pace. His selection is also a sign that Australia is keen to build depth in its fast-bowling stocks beyond its established Test attack.

New Faces in Australia’s T20I Plans

The five-match T20I series will offer maiden international opportunities to wicketkeeper-batters Lachlan Shaw and Sam Harper. Shaw has been rewarded for his performances on the India tour and in the Big Bash League. At just 23, he has also been appointed captain of New South Wales’ 50-over team, adding leadership experience to his growing profile.

Harper’s selection follows a strong period in domestic and franchise cricket. The Melbourne Stars wicketkeeper-batter was named the BBL Player of the Season and spent the winter playing overseas. He was also included in Australia’s Test squad for the South Africa tour, and his T20I call-up gives him a chance to demonstrate his range in a different format.

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mitchell Owen are also back in the T20I squad. Fraser-McGurk last represented Australia in July 2025 but has returned to form for South Australia, making the England series an opportunity to translate domestic success into international runs. Owen, meanwhile, returns after missing the T20 World Cup and Australia’s tour of Bangladesh.

These selections add competition to Australia’s batting and wicketkeeping groups. With five matches scheduled, the coaching staff should have room to assess different combinations, including how the newcomers handle international bowling and whether returning players can make a strong case for regular selection.

Rest for Senior Quick Trio After South Africa Tests

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have not been selected for the ODI series. The fast-bowling trio played all three Tests in South Africa, where Australia lost the series 2-1 after winning the opening match. They will receive a short period of rest before turning their attention to the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand.

The decision reflects the workload demands of international cricket, particularly for frontline fast bowlers moving between formats and long tours. Their absence creates an opening for other pace options to take on greater responsibility against England and gives selectors a chance to assess the depth available for future campaigns.

Billy Stanlake is unavailable while recovering from a side strain sustained during the Zimbabwe tour. Aaron Hardie is also continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury, while Riley Meredith and Matthew Kuhnemann have not been included in either squad.

Bailey Highlights Opportunity for Emerging Players

Bailey said the England fixtures would provide a useful test for players who have featured on recent tours and are looking to establish themselves. The selectors will be watching not only individual performances but also how players respond to the demands of facing a high-quality opponent across consecutive matches.

Liam Scott returns to the ODI squad after making progress over the past 12 to 18 months. Bailey praised his willingness to learn from each opportunity, suggesting that the series could be another important step in his development. Scott’s inclusion also reflects Australia’s interest in giving promising players sustained exposure rather than judging them on a single appearance.

For fans, the series offers several storylines to follow: Beardman’s potential ODI debut, first T20I appearances for Shaw and Harper, and the return of Fraser-McGurk and Owen. Australia’s prediction for the series will depend in part on how quickly these players adapt, particularly with several experienced quicks resting from the ODI leg.

Australia ODI Squad for England

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

Australia T20I Squad for England

Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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 and Adam Zampa.

With three ODIs followed by five T20Is, Australia’s home series against England will combine immediate competition with longer-term squad building. The results will matter, but so will the performances of the newcomers and returning players seeking to strengthen their place in Australia’s plans.