Mahli Beardman has announced himself on the international stage with a devastating 6-24 on his ODI debut, skittling England for 131 in Perth.
Beardman, a 21-year-old right-arm paceman from Western Australia, was nearly unplayable at times on Friday at Perth Stadium, ripping through England as the visitors collapsed from 2-38 to 7-60. He finished with the fourth-best figures by a debutant in ODI world cricket.
Beardman's haul is just the second time an Australian has taken a five-wicket haul on ODI debut, after Tony Dodemaide's 5-21 against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground in 1988.
He snared his first ODI wicket in his second over when he found the edge of England captain Harry Brook (1). He then enticed 200-game milestone man Joe Root to drive on the up to give wicketkeeper Josh Inglis his third catch of the innings. Beardman was on a hat-trick when he collected the scalp of Jordan Cox in his fourth over, again with another delivery that caught the edge. Sam Curran's attempted pull off Beardman's bouncer gave Adam Zampa a catch on the boundary, and his five-wicket haul was complete when Liam Dawson was caught at gully, giving Beardman figures of 5-13 off 4.4 overs at that point.
Late runs from Gus Atkinson (29 not out off 32 balls) and Will Jacks (25) helped England reach triple figures, with the visitors 8-65 at one stage. Spencer Johnson (3-42) took a one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss Jamie Overton. Atkinson and Jofra Archer (11) put on 29 for the last wicket before Beardman completed the demolition by having Archer caught at gully.
"It all happened very quickly," Beardman told Fox Cricket. "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." He added: "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."
Australia required 132 for victory in the first game of a three-match series. Beardman hit speeds of up to 145.4 km/h during his spell.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Beardman's debut performance signals a new pace-bowling talent for Australia, with selectors now facing a selection dilemma ahead of the remaining ODIs and future Tests.
- It continues a trend of young Australian fast bowlers making immediate impacts, reinforcing the depth of the country's pace attack.
- The result gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with momentum firmly in their favour.
Background
Mahli Beardman is a 21-year-old fast bowler from Western Australia who made his international debut in the first of three ODIs against England at Perth Stadium. His figures of 6-24 are the fourth best by a debutant in ODI history, with Scotland's Charlie Cassell holding the record with 7-21 against Oman in 2024.
Key Perspectives
What to Watch
- Whether Beardman can replicate this form in the second ODI, with England likely to adjust their game plan against him.
- How England's batting lineup responds after being bowled out for 131, particularly captain Harry Brook after his early dismissal.
- The performance of Australia's other bowlers, notably Spencer Johnson (3-42), as the series progresses.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBeardman took 6-24 on his ODI debut against England in Perth, blowing England away.Just In: “Mahli Beardman took a scintillating 6–24 on his ODI debut against England in Perth.”
- SupportedBeardman’s figures were the fourth-best by an ODI debutant.Just In: “Beardman's figures were the fourth best by a debutant in ODI world cricket”
- SupportedEngland were bowled out for 131 in Perth.Just In: “Beardman snared 6–24 as England was skittled for 131 in 33.4 overs at Perth Stadium.”
- SupportedBeardman is 21, a right-arm paceman and a West Australian.Just In: “The 21-year-old was nearly unplayable at times”
- SupportedEngland collapsed from 2-38 to 7-60.Just In: “England collapsing from 2–38 to 7–60 on the back of Beardman's burst.”
- SupportedBeardman’s haul was only the second five-wicket haul by an Australian on ODI debut, after Tony Dodemaide took 5-21 against Sri Lanka at the WACA in 1988.Just In: “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.”
- SupportedBeardman said, “It all happened very quickly,” and described representing his country and taking wickets as “a great privilege and honour” and “the cherry on top.”Just In: “"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.”
- SupportedBeardman told Fox Cricket that Harry Brook was a “nice wicket to get off the mark” and that getting his first wicket was “a weight off your shoulders.”Just In: “"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."”
- SupportedBeardman took his first ODI wicket in his second over, catching the edge of England captain Harry Brook, who scored 1.Just In: “The right-arm paceman snared his first ODI wicket in his second over when he found the edge of England captain Brook (1).”
- SupportedBeardman was on a hat-trick when he dismissed Jordan Cox in his fourth over with an edged delivery.Just In: “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.”
- SupportedSam Curran was caught by Adam Zampa on the boundary off Beardman, giving Beardman his fourth wicket.Just In: “Sam Curran's attempted pull off Beardman's bouncer gave Adam Zampa a catch on the boundary rope and Beardman his fourth wicket.”
- SupportedBeardman completed his five-wicket haul when Liam Dawson was caught at gully, giving him figures of 5-13 after 4.4 overs.Just In: “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.”