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

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 confirmed its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming home series against England, with fast bowler Mahli Beardman among the leading stories. The Western Australian has been selected in both formats after impressing on Australia A’s recent tour of India, putting himself in contention for an ODI debut and another opportunity in international T20 cricket.

The England series begins with three one-day internationals in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart on November 13, 15 and 18. Those matches will be followed by five T20Is, giving Australia’s selectors a valuable look at established players and emerging talent against a high-quality opponent. For fans following team news and match prediction, Beardman’s progress and the newcomers’ performances are likely to be major talking points.

Beardman’s Australia A Form Earns a Two-Format Opportunity

Beardman caught attention during the 50-over leg of Australia A’s India tour, where his pace and ability to challenge a strong batting line-up strengthened his case for senior selection. The young quick has already appeared in a T20I, making his international debut in January 2026, but he is yet to play an ODI.

Chair of selectors George Bailey said Beardman’s recent performances had given the panel confidence in his potential. Bailey described the recall as an opportunity for the fast bowler to continue developing across both limited-overs formats, adding that selectors believe he could grow into an all-format player over the coming years.

Selection in both squads gives Beardman a chance to build experience in different conditions and roles. The ODI matches will test his ability to sustain pressure across longer spells, while the T20I series could provide opportunities to demonstrate his pace and adaptability in shorter bursts. His exact role will depend on team balance and conditions, but the series offers an important step in his international development.

Fresh T20I Opportunities for Shaw and Harper

Australia’s T20I squad includes maiden international call-ups for wicketkeeper-batters Lachlan Shaw and Sam Harper. Shaw has been rewarded for strong 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 side—a sign of the responsibility he has taken on in domestic cricket.

Harper’s selection adds another compelling story to the squad. The Melbourne Stars batter was recently included in Australia’s Test group for the South Africa tour and arrives with a strong domestic reputation. He is the reigning Big Bash League Player of the Season and has also spent the winter playing franchise cricket overseas. The England series will give him a chance to translate that experience into an international T20 setting.

For both players, a first appearance would represent more than a personal milestone. Their inclusion reflects Australia’s interest in expanding its pool of options ahead of future tournaments, while testing how emerging performers respond to the demands of international cricket.

Fraser-McGurk and Owen Return to the T20I Group

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Mitchell Owen are also back in the T20I squad. Fraser-McGurk last represented Australia in July 2025, but his recent domestic form for South Australia has helped bring him back into contention. Known for his attacking approach, he could offer Australia an aggressive option at the top or through the middle order, depending on the team’s plans.

Owen returns after missing both the T20 World Cup and Australia’s Bangladesh tour. His recall gives the selectors another chance to assess his role in the side and adds depth to the squad’s batting and all-round options. With five matches scheduled, Australia may have room to rotate players and evaluate combinations as the series progresses.

Bailey said the limited-overs fixtures would provide several players—many of whom have featured on recent tours—with a useful opportunity to demonstrate their ability against strong opposition. He also praised Liam Scott’s development, noting that the all-rounder has learned from previous chances and continued to improve over the past 12 to 18 months.

Senior Fast Bowlers Rested Ahead of New Zealand Tests

Australia’s ODI squad does not include Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood. The three senior fast bowlers played all three Tests against South Africa and have been given a short period to rest before beginning preparations for the home Test series against New Zealand.

Their absence is a planned workload decision rather than an indication of a change in status. Managing the demands on frontline quicks is especially important during a crowded international calendar, where recovery can help reduce injury risk and preserve the bowlers’ availability for major Test assignments.

Billy Stanlake is unavailable while recovering from a side strain sustained during the Zimbabwe tour. Aaron Hardie is also working back from a shoulder injury, while Riley Meredith and Matthew Kuhnemann have not been selected. Their absence creates opportunities for other bowlers to press their claims during the England fixtures.

Australia’s 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’s 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.

What to Watch in the England Series

The series will test Australia’s depth as much as its established talent. Beardman’s possible ODI debut, the first international opportunities for Shaw and Harper, and the returns of Fraser-McGurk and Owen give the squads several selection narratives beyond the contest itself. England’s visit also provides a demanding benchmark for players hoping to secure regular places in Australia’s limited-overs plans.

With the senior Test quicks resting and several younger players in the mix, Australia’s approach may vary between formats and venues. The ODI series begins in Perth before moving to Adelaide and Hobart, followed by five T20Is. Supporters can expect close attention to team combinations, player workloads and form—factors that will shape both the match-day outlook and any pre-series prediction.

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