ENG vs AUS: Blow for Australia! Xavier Bartlett suffers injury; talented left-armer called as cover

Australia's latest pace bowling sensation Xavier Bartlett has been hit with a side strain injury in a big blow to this visitors. Left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis has been called up as a cover.

Xavier Bartlett suffered the injury during the fourth over of his spell in the first T20I between England and Australia at Southampton. He had a decent evening at Southampton as he bowled economically and also picked up the wicket of Jordan Cox.

Xavier Bartlett opened the bowling for Australia and was given a four-over spell at the top by Australia's captain Mitchell Marsh. However, the last over of his spell, which was also the 7th over of the innings, turned out to be a problem for him.

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Xavier Bartlett suffers an injury

After the fourth ball, the youngster headed off to the dressing room without completing the over. The remaining two balls of the over were bowled by allrounder Cameron Green. He did not return to the field again and is in danger of missing the rest of the series.

Xavier Bartlett's injury further adds to Australia's fast bowling worries as they are already without Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis, who are out due to injuries.

With Xavier Bartlett unlikely not take any further part in the series, tall fast bowler Riley Meredith could receive a call-up in the Playing XI. Meredith was called up for the T20I series against Scotland after Josh Hazlewood's calf injury. He remained with the squad for the T20I series against England.

Along with Meredith, allrounders Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie are also among the contenders to play the second T20I at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Hardie is a useful fast-bowling allrounder who can also bat at the top of the order. Meanwhile, Cooper Connolly is a left-arm spinning allrounder.

Ben Dwarshuis called in as a cover

Ben Dwarshuis, who is an experienced bowler in the domestic circuit and the Big Bash League has been added as cover and will join the before the ODI series. The 30-year-old quick has played 3 T20Is so far and picked up 5 wickets at an average of 22.40 but is yet to play an ODI.

Meanwhile, Australia started the three-match T20I series with a commanding win over England at Southampton. After being put in to bat first, the visitors scored 179 in the first innings despite looking set for a 200-plus score at one point.

However, England were bundled out for just 151 in 19.2 overs to lose the match by 28 runs. Travis Head was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant 59 off just 23 balls. Meanwhile, Sean Abbott picked up 3 wickets for Australia.

On the other hand, England are going through a transition period after a failed T20 World Cup 2024 camp. With Jos Buttler out injured, Phil Salt led the team in the first T20I, The next two T20Is will be played in Cardiff and Manchester on September 13 and 15.