NEWS
Follow UsAustralia’s premier pacer Mitchell Starc said young tearaway Mahli Beardman is “full of energy and ready to go” if the Men in Yellow need him for any of the remaining three ODIs against England.
Australia have already taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and if they win the third encounter on September 24 (Tuesday), there’s a serious chance of Beardman getting some game time in the last two ODIs.
Ben Dwarshuis (pectoral strain) has already left for Australia, while it’s highly doubtful that Starc and Josh Hazlewood will feature in all three remaining games. Sean Abbott was dropped for the second ODI after conceding 50 runs in five overs in the first encounter.
Apart from Beardman, who was called up to the squad as cover, Australia only have three frontline seamers in their set-up. Australia also have Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie, who have bowled 18 overs between them in the first two ODIs.
Beardman, who was the Player of the Match in the Under-19 World Cup final against India, has played just one List A game so far. He has often been spotted on the bench during Test matches in Perth as part of Cricket Australia's (CA) Under-19 induction program. He has the ability to clock 140 KMPH on a regular basis.
“He's actually been around the group a little bit; he's run drinks when we've been over in Perth for Test matches. Obviously he's well known to the (WA) guys, but to some of us older guys who have been to Perth a few times, he's been around the last couple of years,” Starc told Cricket.com.au.
“He's full of energy; we've seen a little bit of him bowling and he's out there today again. He's had a great under-19s, there’s some really talented bowlers there in his group of 19s. If he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he's ready to go. He's champing at a bit being another WACA young boy around this group."
Australia have been struggling with injuries but are still 2-0 ahead in the five-match series. Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood and Starc missed the first ODI but were back for the second encounter. Defending 270, Australia bowled England out for just 202 in 40.2 overs.
"We were probably a little bit off our best stuff. But to still bowl them out for 202, there was still a lot of good stuff there. Good partnerships with the bat and good partnerships with the ball so two-nil up is a good night.
"My first training session (of the tour) felt really good too and then I caught whatever has been getting around the group for a few weeks. We're all on the mend with a few injuries and illness getting around, we've chopped and changed the combinations but we're still finding ways to win."
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