Are Maxwell and Dwarshuis Back in Australia's T20I Squad for the India Series?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Glenn Maxwell returns from injury for the series.
- Ben Dwarshuis included for the last two T20Is.
- Marnus Labuschagne released for domestic duties.
- Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will miss parts of the series.
- Cooper Beardman impresses after injury recovery.
Melbourne, Oct 24 (NationPress) Experienced all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis have been reinstated in Australia's T20I squad for the forthcoming five-match series against India.
Maxwell will make his comeback from a fractured wrist for the final three matches, while Dwarshuis is included for the last two encounters.
Cricket Australia announced various alterations to its white-ball teams on Friday, with several players set to return to domestic commitments and some new faces receiving call-ups.
Marnus Labuschagne has been released from the ODI squad ahead of Saturday’s concluding match in Sydney to prepare for Queensland’s Sheffield Shield showdown against New South Wales at the Gabba starting Tuesday.
Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will be absent for the latter part of the T20I series against India as they participate in NSW’s round-four Shield match against Victoria at the SCG from November 10. Hazlewood will play in just the first two T20Is, while Abbott, who is recovering from a split webbing injury in his hand, will leave following the third T20I in Hobart.
In the ODI squad, Matthew Kuhnemann and Jack Edwards have been recalled for the Sydney match. Kuhnemann participated in the opening ODI in Perth before making way for Adam Zampa in Adelaide. Edwards earns his spot after impressive performances for Australia A in India, where he scored 88 in the second four-day game in Lucknow, took 4 for 56, and hit 89 off 75 in the 50-over matches in Kanpur while leading the side.
Edwards’ inclusion provides Australia the opportunity to experiment with an allrounder-heavy lineup in the Sydney dead rubber and potentially rest one or both of Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, considering the quick turnaround between matches.
Josh Philippe returns to the T20I squad as a backup wicketkeeper amid ongoing fitness issues concerning Josh Inglis, who is still recuperating from a calf strain.
One of the most notable inclusions is Cooper Beardman, the 20-year-old quick from Western Australia, selected for the last three T20Is. Beardman, a former Australia Under-19 bowler, impressed during the 2024 white-ball tour of England as an injury replacement, despite having limited experience. After recovering from stress fractures, he has made a strong start to the domestic season for WA and the Perth Scorchers, taking 12 wickets at 17.75 with an economy rate of 5.75 in his first four List A matches.
The final ODI between Australia and India will take place in Sydney on Saturday, followed by the five-match T20I series commencing next week.
Australia T20I squad vs India: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott (first three matches only), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (last three matches only), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (last two matches only), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (first two matches only), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.