Australia close-in on confirming batting line-up for CWC27

Register for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup ticket ballot

Australia's preparations to defend their title crown at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 have started taking shape, with stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh backing the current batting lot to feature in the quest for a record seventh title.

"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.

While Australia's senior bowlers are resting, most of their first-choice batters are in the squad. This would mean Marsh, Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Alex Carey have a strong chance of featuring in the tournament in South Africa next year.

Marsh also took the occasion to declare that young West Australia speedster, Mahli Beardman was all set to make his ODI debut in the upcoming fixture against England. 

"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.

"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."

This will be Beardman's first-ever international outing in Australia, with the youngster having featured in a T20I in Pakistan earlier this year.

England too are gearing up for the upcoming World Cup, and will look to have a settled line-up in place soon. 

The spin department has Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson as options, and while Rashid impressed during his four-for in the practice game against Western Australia, skipper Harry Brook stated that the final call on the player was yet to be taken.

"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 told BBC. "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."

Australia v England ODI series schedule:

1st ODI - November 13, Perth

2nd ODI - November 15, Adelaide

3rd ODI - November 18, Hobart

Australia v England T20I series schedule:

1st T20I - November 21, Melbourne

2nd T20I- November 24, Carrara

3rd T20I - November 27, Brisbane

4th T20I - November 29, Sydney

5th T20I - December 2, Canberra