Mahli Beardman has stamped his reputation as the next big thing in Australian cricket by slicing his way through England during a memorable ODI debut in Perth.
On a day when Australian cricket was still knee-deep dealing with the ghosts of Sandpapergate, Beardman snared 6–24 as England was skittled for 131 in 33.4 overs at Perth Stadium.
Australia chased the runs down with ease, led by captain Mitch Marsh’s explosive 50 from 30 balls at the top of the order.
The 21-year-old Beardman was nearly unplayable at times, with England collapsing from 2–38 to 7–60 on the back of Beardman’s burst.
It marked just the second time an Australian has produced a five-wicket haul in their ODI debut, following on from Tony Dodemaide’s haul of 5–21 against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground in 1988.
Only some late handy runs from Gus Atkinson (29 not out off 32 balls) and Will Jacks (25) ensured England made it to triple figures, with the visitors 8–65 at one stage.
“It all happened very quickly,” Beardman told Fox Cricket when asked about his big haul.
“It’s just a great privilege and honour to be able to represent my country. And to go out and take a few wickets as well is the cherry on top.
“Harry Brook was a nice wicket to get off the mark. Anytime you get your first one it’s a weight off your shoulders, so that was awesome.”
The right-arm paceman snared his first ODI wicket in his second over when he found the edge of England captain Brook (1).
Hitting speeds of up to 145.4 kilometres per hour, Beardman was able to entice 200-game milestone man Joe Root (17 off 36 balls) to drive on the up to gift wicketkeeper Josh Inglis his third catch of the innings.
And Beardman was on a hat-trick when he collected the scalp of Jordan Cox at the start of his fourth over — again with another pearler of a delivery that caught the edge.
Sam Curran’s attempted pull off Beardman’s bouncer gave Adam Zampa a catch on the boundary rope and Beardman his fourth wicket.
And Beardman’s five-wicket haul was complete when Liam Dawson was caught at gully, giving the West Australian figures of 5–13 off 4.4 overs at that point.
Spencer Johnson (3–42) ensured the party continued by jumping high in the air to pull off a one-handed catch off his own bowling to send Jamie Overton packing.
Atkinson and Jofra Archer (11) struck a series of boundaries in a 29-run last-wicket stand before Beardman completed the demolition job by having Archer caught at gully.
Beardman’s figures were the fourth best by a debutant in ODI world cricket, with Charlie Cassell’s effort of 7–21 for Scotland against Oman in 2024 still the best.
Marsh’s early burst made sure the result was never in doubt for Australia, despite Travis Head being bowled for a golden duck by Gus Atkinson.
Marsh hit a series of enormous sixes in a thrilling but brief knock, before Cooper Connolly (27), Matt Renshaw (26*) and Josh Inglis (23*) helped steer Australia home in just the 24th over.
ABC/AAP
Source: www.abc.net.au
