Cricket news 2024: Teen bolter Mahli Beardman rushed to England for one-day series

A 19-year-old quick with just one state match under his belt has been rushed to England as an understudy for Australia’s depleted one-day squad.

A teenage quick with just one state match under his belt has been rushed to England as an understudy for Australia’s depleted one-day squad.

Mahli Beardman, who only turned 19 last month, will join the Aussie touring party for the five-match one-day international series beginning on Thursday night (Australian time).

The West Australian is not yet formally part of the squad but has been placed on standby following injuries to Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith.

Pat Cummins is missing the tour as he is rested ahead of the home summer although Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are both in the one-day squad.

Beardman played a sole domestic one-dayer for WA last season after starring for Australia’s under-19 World Cup winning side.

Capable of bowling at more than 140 km/h, he has been mentored by Dennis Lillee and has also signed with the Big Bash League’s Perth Scorchers.

Ben Dwarshuis has officially been added to the Aussie squad, while Beardman’s WA teammate and fellow youngster Cooper Connolly will also remain with the one-day squad as backup.

Originally published as Cricket news 2024: Teen bolter Mahli Beardman rushed to England for one-day series