Glenn Maxwell Returns, Mahli Beardman Set for Debut as Australia Shuffles Squads Ahead of Ashes

Selectors in Australia have made a number of tactical transformations in order to balance the workload and coach important players for the Ashes series while the squads for the T20I and ODI series against India have also been concluded.

On the one hand, one of the most highly-anticipated all-rounders, Glenn Maxwell, will be back in action after an injury hiatus. On the other hand, the young 20-year-old pacer, Mahli Beardman, is likely to be the one to take the first step toward an international career as the Australian team rotates players across formats.

🏏 Maxwell Return, Beardman Awaits Debut

The injury that Glenn Maxwell suffered last month was a fractured wrist that he got during a net session right before the New Zealand T20Is. He will probably take part in the last three T20Is with India, which start in Canberra on October 29. His comeback is a plus for the skills of steadying Australia’s middle order and versatile bowling through spin.

Besides, Mahli Beardman, one of the emerging fast-bowling stars in Australia, has been appointed on the international roster. The pacer from Western Australia was a standout performer at the last U-19 World Cup, where he finished with 3/15 in the final and garnered the Player of the Final award. However, despite his limited senior experience — only five List A and two BBL matches — he has already made some noise in domestic cricket thanks to his speed and control.

⚙️ Squad Rotation Before the Ashes

Cricket selectors have given the green light to Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott to participate in the Sheffield Shield cricket which will happen right before the start of the Ashes series on November 21. During the Gabba encounter, Labuschagne will head back to Queensland to join his team which will take on New South Wales. Meanwhile, Hazlewood and Abbott are across the states and their next venue will be Victoria for a Shield match against NSW.

While Australia continues to manage the workload of its players, Hazlewood will be restricted to only the first two T20Is and Abbott will be part of the squad until the third match before transitioning back to red-ball cricket.

🆕 Other Squad Updates

Captain of New South Wales Jack Edwards along with left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann have been included in the ODI squad for the third match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Edwards’ presence in the squad brings all-rounder skills to play, while Kuhnemann is back after his absence due to the Adelaide ODI injury.

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe, who took Maxwell’s slot in the New Zealand series, has also been added to the T20I team for all five matches. Josh Inglis, who is healing from a calf injury, is likely to join the ODI team for the match in Sydney.

🔄 Australia’s Updated Squads

Changes in the ODI Squad:

In: Jack Edwards, Matt Kuhnemann

Out: Marnus Labuschagne

Changes in the T20I Squad:

In: Glenn Maxwell (Games 3–5), Ben Dwarshuis (Games 4–5), Josh Philippe (All Games), Mahli Beardman (Games 3–5)

Out: Josh Hazlewood (After Game 2), Sean Abbott (After Game 3)

🧠 Strategic Focus on Balance and Fitness

While Pat Cummins is still in the process of recovery from his back problem and Cameron Green is slowly coming back to his complete bowling fitness, the Australian selectors cannot afford to lose the battle on the white-ball front while trying to be ready for the red-ball one. Besides, Abbott, Michael Neser, and Brendan Doggett are still considered the main backup options for the upcoming summer ahead.