Beardman rested for Australia’s 2nd ODI after record 6-24 debut

The iconic Adelaide Oval is hosting the second ODI between Australia and England on Sunday, November 15, and the hosts have confirmed that Mahli Beardman will not feature. The 21-year-old took 6-24 on debut at Perth on November 13, the best figures recorded by any Australian bowler in their first ODI appearance, as Australia sealed a seven-wicket victory in the series opener.

Australia’s management have confirmed the rest is part of a structured workload programme for Beardman, who carries a history of back injuries. With his bowling capacity being built up carefully following recent injury concerns, selectors chose to give him a single match off rather than risk any setback. Left-arm quick Riley Meredith has been added to the squad and comes into the XI at Adelaide in Beardman’s place.

As of writing, England are batting first in the ongoing second ODI, having scored 142 runs for the loss of one wicket after 25 overs. Tom Banton and Joe Root have both gotten to their respective half-centuries and look set to convert their starts into big scores.

When is Beardman expected to return for Australia?

Beardman’s absence from the Adelaide fixture is precautionary and not the result of a fresh injury. Australia’s management have indicated he is on track to return for the third ODI, scheduled for November 18 in Hobart, meaning he will sit out only one match across the three-game series. Meanwhile, the broader schedule gives selectors further flexibility: a five-match T20I series against England follows the ODIs, with the opening game set for November 21 in Melbourne, providing a wider window to monitor the young fast bowler’s workload across both formats.

What are the other selection changes around the Australia squad?

Meanwhile, a separate change has affected Australia’s T20I plans. Left-arm seamer Nathan Ellis was ruled out of the five-match T20I series against England after picking up a side strain during Australia’s tour of South Africa, with the injury occurring at Potchefstroom. Ben Dwarshuis was brought into the T20I squad as Ellis’s replacement, with the left-arm pacer’s most recent international appearance coming in the ODI series against Bangladesh in June 2026.

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