England add Saqib Mahmood to squad for 2024 ENG vs AUS ODI series
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has added right-arm pacer Saqib Mahmood to their ODI squad for the five-game series against Australia, beginning on September 19 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The Warwickshire cricketer was part of the preceding T20I series against Australia and played the two completed T20Is.
Mahmood made his 50-overs international debut against South Africa in 2020 at the Wanderers, with Reeza Hendricks becoming his first victim. He bowled five overs, and conceded 17 runs, including a maiden. The 27-year-old last played the format in March 2023 against Bangladesh, returning with figures of 9-0-41-0. Overall, the youngster's eight ODIs have yielded 14 scalps at an average of 22.85.
Mahmood bowled decently in the first T20I against Australia, taking figures of 3-0-21/2 in the opening game in Southampton, but was expensive in the second in Cardiff, finishing with a haul of 3-0-37-0.
England squad for ODI series against Australia: Harry Brook (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, and John Turner.
England and Australia share the T20I trophy after deciding game gets washed out
The T20I series ended in a draw as Australia won in Southamption and England bounced back to level it in Cardiff. Travis Head's blazed away with a 23-ball 59 to take Australia to 179 in 20 overs in the opening game. However, the Englishmen fell short by 28 runs.
The tourists delivered an equally strong batting performance in the second T20I at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, racking up 193, thanks to Jake Fraser-McGurk's half-century. Nevertheless, Liam Livingstone smashed a swashbuckling 87, as the home side sneaked through to a three-wicket win with an over to spare.
With the series-decider in Manchester washed out due to rain, both teams had to share the T20I trophy.
The ODI series will be Harry Brook's first experience in leading the national team in any format. Wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt captained the hosts in the T20I series in Jos Buttler's absence.