Australia has announced squad selections for their white-ball matches against England, notably omitting three veteran fast bowlers from both or one of the series. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been excluded from both the three-match ODI series beginning on 13 November and the five-match T20 series starting on 21 November. Mitchell Starc, 36 years old, was left out of the ODI squad and is not participating in T20 cricket after his retirement from that format.
The resting period follows Australia’s recent Test series against South Africa, where all three seamers participated in all matches during the 2-1 series defeat. While Cummins formally retains the ODI captaincy, he has appeared in only one 50-over international fixture since November 2024. Mitchell Marsh, who regularly serves as Cummins’ deputy and holds the T20 captaincy, will lead the squad for the longer format in his absence.
Australia has incorporated several new or recently unavailable players into the white-ball squads. Fast bowler Mahli Beardman, 21, has been named to both the ODI and T20 selections and could make his international ODI debut. Uncapped players Sam Harper and Lachlan Shaw have been included for the T20 series. Additionally, all-rounder Liam Scott has been recalled to the ODI squad after a previous appearance against Bangladesh earlier in the year, while spinners Nikhil Chaudhary and Joel Davies return to the T20 squad.
The squad management reflects Australia’s scheduling priorities, as the pace trio will be needed for an extensive Test program following the England white-ball series. Australia will commence a four-match home Test series against New Zealand on 9 December, followed by a five-Test series against India beginning on 21 January and additional Test matches against England and in the World Test Championship final later in the year.
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