Australian News – Xavier Bartlett suffers side strain Ben Dwarshuis named ODI cover

He won the no-ball from his first delivery, which saw Phil Salt dismissed by skipper Mitchell Marsh who had not heard the call and started celebrating, only to find the wicket of Jordan Cox later in the powerplay. In a rare sight of consistent quick work in T20s, Bartlett was given his four overs off the reel by Marsh as he bowled on a chilly night but withdrew his attempt to complete his last two overs.

If, as seems likely, Bartlett’s trip is over it will add to the loss of Spencer Johnson (side) and Nathan Ellis (hamstring) for the trip. Riley Meredith, who had been called up for the Scotland series after Josh Hazlewood’s calf injury, was kept out of England’s T20 series after Ellis was ruled out with an injury early in the century.

Bartlett’s injury opens the way for Meredith to be included in the squad for the second T20I in Cardiff on Friday. Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly are the other options.

Bartlett was not expected to be part of the ODI leg despite coming into the field with a four-wicket haul against the West Indies earlier this year. A side injury could put him in doubt for the start of Queensland’s home season with the Marsh Cup starting later this month before the Sheffield Shield starts in early October.

Hazlewood made an impressive comeback at Southampton with 2 for 32 from his four overs including the crucial wicket of Liam Livingstone who was threatening to put England back in the competition. He and Mitchell Starc will be part of the one-day series but Pat Cummins has missed the entire tour to work on strength and conditioning ahead of the domestic summer.