England call up Mahmood for Australia ODI series

· BBC Sport
Saqib Mahmood has played two Test matches, eight one-day internationals and 14 T20s for EnglandImage source, Getty Images

Lancashire pace bowler Saqib Mahmood has been added to the England squad for the upcoming one-day international series against Australia.

The 27-year-old has not played an ODI since March 2023 after suffering a recurrence of a stress fracture in his back.

Mahmood made his international comeback in the recent T20 series against Australia, taking 2-21 in the opening match at Southampton.

He has taken eight wickets in 14 ODIs at an average of 22.85.

Harry Brook will captain the side after Jos Buttler was ruled out of the five-match series with a calf injury.

The first game takes place at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

England ODI squad to play Australia

Harry Brook (captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, John Turner.

'I know I will never play in the Ashes'

Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa will play in his 100th ODI at Trent Bridge.

However, despite being regarded as one of the game's finest white-ball bowlers and being third in the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings, Zampa is resigned to never playing in the Ashes against England.

"Realistically, I'm probably not going to play in an Ashes in my career," the 32-year-old said. "I'm OK with that.

"We have lots of Test cricket and there's still a bit of drive to play that but, in terms of playing in England or playing in Australia against England, I don't think it's a possibility for me.

"I think rivalry in any sport gives depth to the games, you can see that with the Ashes. It's a little bit different to this series in particular, but rivalry is important and the one against England is always great.

"Winning and beating England is always a good feeling and there's another opportunity in the next five games to hopefully go home with a trophy."

Zampa has taken 169 ODI wickets at an average of 28, with his wickets-per-match ratio of 1.7 better than that of Shane Warne (1.5).

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