Promising paceman sidelined with back injury

Australian representative Mahli Beardman will not play for Western Australia for at least the remainder of the domestic season after sustaining an injury whilst touring in Pakistan.

The Western Australian is now the latest bowler to have been sidelined following Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood being ruled out for the T20 World Cup.

The fast bowler would sustain a lumbar bone stress injury as he was warming up for Australia's second IT20 against Pakistan on January 31.

Beardman had only made his international T20 debut for Australia two days earlier against the same opponent.

This continues an unlucky run of injuries for the 20-year-old, who suffered from stress fractures last year, which saw him miss the start of the 2025/26 domestic season.

Beardman has been viewed by Cricket Australia as a promising up-and-comer despite his limited experience at the first-class level.

He was a part of the 2024 U19 World Cup winning squad, which saw him named as man of the match in the final against India.

In a statement from Cricket Australia, the governing body confirmed the nature of the injury and that his domestic season will finish early.

"Scans have confirmed Mahli Beardman has sustained a lumbar bone stress injury," it said.

"Beardman reported lower back soreness during warmup for the second T20 International against Pakistan.

"He underwent scans on his return to Perth, which confirmed the injury. He will now enter an extended period of rehabilitation and will be unavailable for the remainder of the domestic season."

Western Australia only has three Sheffield Shield matches (after they conclude their match against Tasmania) and two One Day Cup matches left.