Surprise squad change for Australia happened today as selectors announced new players for the India series. Glenn Maxwell returns after recovering from his wrist injury, which he suffered badly back in September. Young quick Mahli Beardman got his first national call-up.
Glenn Maxwell’s Return and New Faces
Maxwell broke his wrist during a net session before the New Zealand T20 series. He missed several matches, but doctors cleared him to play the last three T20Is. Surprise squad change for Australia includes Beardman, who bowls fast for Western Australia domestically.
Ben Dwarshuis and Josh Philippe also join the T20 squad for matches against India. Philippe already played in New Zealand replacing Maxwell when he got injured initially there. Josh Inglis hurt himself too so Philippe stepped in for ODIs as well.
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Jack Edwards and Matt Kuhnemann got added to the ODI squad for the upcoming games. Marnus Labuschagne got dropped from the final ODI in Sydney which raised some eyebrows. Inglis should return for that last ODI if his injury heals properly soon.
Australia T20I squad vs India
Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott (first three matches only), Glenn Maxwell (last 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, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Sheffield Shield Takes Priority for Some Players
Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott won’t play all the matches against India. Cricket Australia wants them fresh for the Ashes series beginning November 21 instead. Both seamers head to Sheffield Shield games to build rhythm and fitness there.
Labuschagne also plays Sheffield Shield cricket to find form before the England series arrives. The Ashes matter more than bilateral series, so Australia manages workloads carefully right now.
Ashes Preparations Creating Uncertainty
Pat Cummins might miss the Ashes because his back injury hasn’t healed completely. Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett wait as backup fast bowlers if Cummins can’t play. Surprise squad change for Australia shows they’re juggling multiple competitions at once, managing players.
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The selectors want everyone firing for the Ashes which remains Australia’s biggest priority. The India series gives fringe players chances to prove themselves before selectors finalise the Ashes squad. Maxwell’s return strengthens the batting, but his fitness needs to be monitored carefully throughout these remaining matches.
