Mahli Beardman Takes 6-24 on Debut as Australia Crush England
Mahli Beardman, 21, took 6-24 on his one-day international debut in Perth, the best figures by an Australian on debut. His spell set up a crushing win over England and drew praise from captain Mitchell Marsh, Tom Moody and Michael Vaughan.
Australia fast bowler Mahli Beardman took 6-24 on his one-day international debut in Perth, the best figures by an Australian on a one-day debut, as Australia crushed England in the second men's ODI.
Beardman is 21. It was his first match for Australia on home soil, and it swept England aside.
A spell of control and pace
Across 7.4 overs, Beardman averaged 86.5 mph, his quickest match on record. His fastest delivery was clocked at 90.6mph, also a personal best.
Control mattered as much as speed. Rarely was there a ball for England to hit.
He found Harry Brook's outside edge for his first ODI wicket at the start of his second over. Joe Root then edged a drive, and Jordan Cox nicked off tentatively.
A bouncer to Sam Curran, which the England all-rounder hooked to fine leg, showed Beardman can unsettle a batter as well.
"After I got the first wicket, Zamps [spinner Adam Zampa] ran up, tapped me on the back and said 'keep a level head, mate'," Beardman said. "That helped calm the adrenaline a little bit."
Back injuries and the road back
The performance followed a difficult stretch. In 2025 Beardman suffered the first of two stress injuries in his back, a common scourge for young fast bowlers.
The second came after his only previous Australia appearance, a T20 in Pakistan in January, when he returned 2-33. Two weeks before that, he had dismissed and unsettled Steve Smith in a Big Bash play-off match.
Two years ago he toured England with Australia's white-ball teams after an impressive Under-19 World Cup, but did not play. He has worked with Dennis Lillee since his teenage years.
"There is always doubt," Beardman said. "I don't think I ever lost my love for the game, it was more 'Will I come back and be able to bowl the same and will the air speed be there?'"
Perth, where he has played all of his domestic cricket, answered those questions. The ODI was his 12th professional 50-over game, alongside 14 T20s.
Reaction
Captain Mitchell Marsh, also from Western Australia, said he admired Beardman's outlook. "I would love to live my life like him - pretty carefree, loves the ocean and loves to learn about fast bowling," Marsh said.
Beardman's own plan for celebrating was simple: "Try and get down to the beach!"
Former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody, speaking on BBC Test Match Special, called the display polished. "He bowled lively, got it to swing both ways, and his control was immaculate," Moody said. "I don't think his heart rate went up much."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said Beardman has a quality that is hard to define. "It's the way he strolls around. He is playing the game like it's his club side," Vaughan said.
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