Cricket news 2024: ODI debut looms for quick after Aussie call-up

After dominating the Big Bash for years an injury has opened the door for an Aussie quick to make his long awaited ODI debut after getting call up to the upcoming white-ball tour of England.

NSW quick Ben Dwarshuis is in line for a one-day international debut after being called in as a reinforcement for Australia’s tour of England.

Dwarshuis, 30, has headed off for the UK to join the Australian squad ahead of the five-match ODI series against England beginning next week.

The left-armer, who will join the touring party as cover but has not yet officially added to the squad, follows the tour-ending injury to fellow seamer Nathan Ellis, who was unable to overcome a hamstring tendon ailment suffered while playing in The Hundred competition.

Dwarshuis, a stalwart for the Big Bash League’s Sydney Sixers, has played three Twenty20 internationals, one in Pakistan in 2022 and then two in India late last year when Australia fielded a depleted side following its 50-over World Cup triumph.

Australia’s pace depth is being increasingly tested across the month-long UK tour, which began with three T20 wins over Scotland and continues with three T20s and five ODIs against England.

Ben Dwarshuis is in-line for his ODI debut. Picture: Getty Images

Having left Test captain Pat Cummins back home to prepare for the home summer and rested Mitchell Starc from the T20 legs of the tour, Australia has already lost Spencer Johnson (side strain), and Ellis, while Josh Hazlewood missed the Scotland series with a minor calf complaint from which he has now recovered ahead of the England matches.

Sean Abbott and Riley Meredith were added to the T20 squad, although Australia had not formally announced Ellis’ replacement in the one-day squad.

Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the tour. Picture: AFP

Will Sutherland, who made his ODI debut in February, was not considered for the tour as he makes his way back from a back stress problem.

Australia’s primary white-ball focus is the 50-over format given next February’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan is the next senior men’s global event. Having missed the semi-finals at this year’s T20 World Cup, the Aussies are taking a longer-term view in that format ahead of the 2026 event in India.

Meanwhile Victorian seamer Fergus O’Neill has been cleared of injury despite being replaced mid-over during a pre-season match against NSW in Sydney on Wednesday.

Playing against his former side, Blues recruit Nic Maddinson posted a century while Peter Siddle and Mitch Perry picked up three wickets each for the Vics.

Test aspirants Nathan McSweeney and Matt Renshaw both made half-centuries in a practice game between Queensland and South Australia.