Maxwell Returns, Beardman in Line for Debut as Australia Balance Squads Ahead of Ashes

Australia’s selectors have continued to fine-tune their plans ahead of the home Ashes series, with Glenn Maxwell set to return from injury and young pacer Mahli Beardman in line for an international debut during the upcoming T20I series against India.

Maxwell, who fractured his wrist while bowling in the nets before the T20Is in New Zealand last month, is expected to feature in the final three matches of the five-match series beginning October 29 in Canberra. His comeback adds valuable experience and all-round depth to the Australian squad.

In a move aimed at preparing for the Ashes, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood, and Sean Abbott have been released to play Sheffield Shield cricket. The trio will return to red-ball action to sharpen their skills before the first Test against England, which starts on November 21.

Labuschagne, who was drafted into the ODI squad as a late replacement for the injured Cameron Green but didn’t feature in the first two games, will return to Queensland for their Shield clash against New South Wales at the Gabba — a fixture that will also see Steve Smith turning out for NSW.

Meanwhile, NSW captain Jack Edwards has been called up for the third ODI at the SCG, alongside left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who returns after missing the Adelaide game.

Josh Philippe, who replaced Maxwell in New Zealand and later joined as cover for the injured Josh Inglis, has also been named in the T20I squad for the entire India series. Inglis, recovering from a calf strain, is expected to rejoin the ODI group for the Sydney match.

The standout selection, however, is that of 20-year-old Mahli Beardman. The Western Australia quick — Player of the Final at the 2024 U-19 World Cup for his 3 for 15 — could make his senior debut after a strong start to the domestic season, taking five wickets in two One-Day Cup appearances. With just five List A and two BBL matches under his belt, Beardman continues Australia’s recent trend of fast-tracking emerging pacers such as Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, and Mitch Owen.

Hazlewood and Abbott will feature for New South Wales in their Shield match against Victoria from November 10. Hazlewood is available only for the first two T20Is against India, while Abbott will play one additional game before rejoining red-ball duties.

With captain Pat Cummins still managing a back issue and Cameron Green easing back into bowling after surgery, Abbott remains a key pace option alongside Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett as Australia manage their bowling workloads ahead of a packed summer.

ODI Squad Changes:
IN: Jack Edwards, Matt Kuhnemann
OUT: Marnus Labuschagne

T20I Squad Changes:
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)