Australia's preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup took shape on Thursday as stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh backed the current batting line-up to feature in their title defence in South Africa next year.
Marsh, leading the side in the absence of senior bowlers, said the batting group including himself, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Alex Carey had a strong chance of being part of the squad for the tournament.
"We've got a batting line-up that I see being at that World Cup, and it's sort of where we end up," Marsh told reporters ahead of the first ODI against England in Perth on Friday.
The first-choice batters are all in the 13-man squad for the three-match ODI series, while the senior bowlers have been rested.
Marsh also confirmed that Western Australia fast bowler Mahli Beardman will make his ODI debut in the series opener at Perth Stadium.
"He's an amazing talent. He's a ripping young kid. For a young kid, he really understands his game early on. He loves to bowl fast," Marsh said.
"He's always on record saying that all he wants to do is bowl fast, and that's an attitude that you can't always teach. The times that I have played with him in big moments, he's always got a smile on his face, and I'm looking forward to seeing him out there tomorrow."
Beardman, 19, will play his first international match in Australia after featuring in a T20 International in Pakistan earlier this year.
He rose to prominence with a player-of-the-match performance in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final, taking three for 15.
England, also building towards the World Cup, are weighing their spin options with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson in the squad.
Captain Harry Brook praised Rashid's ability but said the final decision on the spinner had not been made.
"Everybody knows how good Rash is. He's a magician with the ball. He can tear through sides, and the skill that he possesses is unbelievable. It's awesome to have him in and around the squad," Brook said.
"But Liam Dawson did an exceptional job in Pakistan, and he did the role very well. He had a lot of clarity at the top of his mark, he knew exactly what he needed to do, and he performed well."
The three-match ODI series begins in Perth on Friday, followed by matches in Adelaide on November 15 and Hobart on November 18.
The teams will then contest a five-match T20 International series from November 21 to December 2 across Melbourne, Carrara, Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.
Beardman's previous T20I appearance came during Australia's tour of Pakistan earlier in 2026, giving him experience of subcontinental conditions ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.
Australia are aiming for a record seventh World Cup title after winning their sixth in India in 2023.
The ICC said the ticket ballot for the 2027 tournament is now open for registration.
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