Beardman prepares for first ODI after recovering from back injury
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will be rested as Australia face England in three ODIs and five T20s.
Australia’s Mahli Beardman is preparing for an ODI debut against England on 13 November at Optus Stadium in Perth, returning to international cricket after a recurrence of back stress fractures.
The 21-year-old is set to feature with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc being rested for the white-ball fixtures. Australia and England will play three ODIs, then five T20s.
Beardman’s first Australian T20 appearance yielded 2-33 against Pakistan in Lahore in January. Soreness during preparations for the second game led to him being sent home, with scans revealing the return of stress fractures.
He said four or five months of gym work had helped rebuild his strength. Alongside that physical work, he has been making technical adjustments and hopes to reach around 150km/h as he develops.
His return includes a practice game for Western Australia against England at the WACA Ground. Lance Morris, 28, is also due to play following an 18-month absence because of back problems.
Although Beardman still aims to play Tests, his Sheffield Shield debut remains unscheduled. He said his focus was on returning to matches and showing his body could cope, with decisions about red-ball cricket being made game by game.
