Australia have lost fast bowler Nathan Ellis from their five-match T20I squad against England because of a side strain. Left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis has been recalled as the replacement. The changes were confirmed during the second ODI in Adelaide, where England's batters have set the early pace.
Nathan Ellis Ruled Out With Side Strain
Ellis picked up the injury during the ODI series against South Africa in September 2026. It also forced him to miss the third and final ODI in Potchefstroom.
He has not recovered in time for the home T20I series. Australia now lose a pace option from a squad that relies heavily on seam bowling depth.
Ben Dwarshuis Returns to the Setup
Dwarshuis returns to the national setup for the first time since the ODI series against Bangladesh in June. His left-arm angle adds variety to an attack that already includes Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett and Mahli Beardman.
The series opens at the MCG on November 21. Dwarshuis has a short window to join the group before then.
Australia's Updated T20I Squad
Mitchell Marsh leads a 14-man squad. The group mixes fast-bowling options with power-hitting batters and one specialist leg-spinner in Adam Zampa.
| Role | Players |
|---|
| Captain | Mitchell Marsh |
| Pace bowlers | Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson |
| Batters and all-rounders | Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Jack Edwards, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mitch Owen, Lachlan Shaw |
| Spinner | Adam Zampa |
Series Schedule
The five matches are spread across five venues in just under two weeks. That is a compact schedule for the pace attack.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|
| First T20I | November 21 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Second T20I | November 24 | Gold Coast Stadium |
| Third T20I | November 27 | The Gabba |
| Fourth T20I | November 29 | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Fifth T20I | December 2 | Manuka Oval |
Five matches in 12 days, with travel between venues, makes bowling depth a practical concern. The extra pace option eases some of that load.
ODI Changes: Riley Meredith In, Mahli Beardman Out
Riley Meredith has replaced Beardman in the XI for the second ODI at Adelaide Oval on November 15. Beardman is being rested as workload management because of his history of back injuries.
Beardman took six wickets on debut in the first ODI, which Australia won by seven wickets. Management has chosen to protect him rather than extend his workload.
Why the Workload Call Matters
A six-wicket debut haul is a rare return in ODI cricket. Resting him after one match points to a long-term plan, particularly with a T20I series starting within a week.
Second ODI Snapshot: Banton Century Leads England
England were 221/4 in 36.3 overs after being asked to bat first. That works out to a run rate of roughly 6.05 per over.
Tom Banton scored 121 off 99 balls, a strike rate of 122.22. His 12 fours and four sixes account for 72 runs, or about 59.5 percent of his total from boundaries.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Boundaries |
|---|
| Tom Banton | 121 | 99 | 122.22 | 12 fours, 4 sixes |
| Joe Root | 62 | 68 | 91.18 | Not specified |
| Jordan Cox | 17* | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Will Jacks | 2* | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Australia's Bowling Figures
Xavier Bartlett led the attack with 2 for 39 in 6.3 overs, an economy rate of about 6.00. Cooper Connolly took 1 for 6, and Meredith took 1 for 68.
| Bowler | Wickets | Runs Conceded |
|---|
| Xavier Bartlett | 2 | 39 (6.3 overs) |
| Cooper Connolly | 1 | 6 |
| Riley Meredith | 1 | 68 |
Analytical Takeaway
Australia's bowling resources are being tested across formats within a single week. Ellis's absence, Beardman's rest and Meredith's expensive spell show how thin the pace depth can become.
Dwarshuis offers a left-arm option, but his recent international exposure is limited. The first T20I at the MCG will show how the revised attack balances against England's top-order depth.