Australia recalled Jack Edwards and Mahli Beardman as Glenn Maxwell rejoined the T20I squad.
Sydney
Cricket Australia announced multiple squad changes ahead of the final ODI and the upcoming T20I series against India. New South Wales allrounder Jack Edwards earned his maiden international call-up for the Sydney ODI, while young Western Australia pacer Mahli Beardman has been drafted into the T20 squad. Veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and seamer Ben Dwarshuis are also set to return from injury.
Edwards’ inclusion comes on the back of strong performances for Australia A during the recent tour of India, where he impressed with both bat and ball. His all-round form — including scores of 88 and 89 and a four-wicket haul — makes him a promising option for Australia’s middle order in the dead rubber at Sydney.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne has been released from the ODI squad to prepare for Queensland’s upcoming Sheffield Shield fixture. Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will miss the back-end of the T20Is to feature in domestic matches, with Hazlewood playing only the first two games and Abbott leaving after the third due to a hand injury.
Meanwhile, Mahli Beardman, just 20, earned a surprise T20 call-up following consistent showings for Western Australia and Perth Scorchers. Returning from stress fractures, he has already claimed 12 wickets at an economy of 5.75 in domestic one-day cricket.
Maxwell, who fractured his wrist last month, will rejoin the team for the last three T20Is. Dwarshuis, recovering from a calf injury, is also set to return for the fourth and fifth matches. The selectors’ moves aim to balance experience with youth as Australia fine-tune their combinations ahead of the white-ball summer.
