Australian fast-bowling veteran Mitchell Starc says WA young gun Mahli Beardman will be ready for debut
West Aussie quick Mahli Beardman could become one of the handful of teenage Australian ODI debutants if named to face England this week, but fast-bowling veteran Mitchell Starc says the 19-year-old will be ready.
Beardman has enjoyed a dizzying month, having bolted into the ODI squad for their limited-overs UK tour after a string of injuries to Australia’s fast bowling stocks.
And with left-arm New South Welshman Ben Dwarshuis adding his side to the casualty ward with a strain suffered in his first outing, Beardman is on the cusp of earning a dream debut, and it could come at the home of cricket if Australia wrap-up series victory in the third ODI on Tuesday.
“He’s actually been around the group a little bit; he’s run drinks when we’ve been over in Perth for Test matches,” Starc told cricket.com.au.
“Obviously, he’s well known to the (WA) guys, but to some of us older guys who have been to Perth a few times, he’s been around for the last couple of years.
“He’s full of energy; we’ve seen a little bit of him bowling and he’s out there today again. He’s had a great under-19s, there’s some really talented bowlers there in his group of 19s.
“If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’s ready to go. He’s champing at a bit being another WACA young boy around this group.”
Beardman bowled during the innings break in Leeds as Starc produced a superb 3-50 in his first match since June’s T20 World Cup.
The young West Aussie isn’t in the official 16-man squad but can be parachuted in at any time to cover injury.
Fellow rising WA star Cooper Connolly made his T20 International debut in Scotland and played one of the T20s against England.
Australia face the old enemy at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, looking to take an unassailable 3-0 lead and extend their unbeaten streak, which started during last year’s epic ODI World Cup triumph, to 15 games.
The series will head to Lord’s for game four.
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