Beardman claims 6-24 on ODI debut as Australia crush England in Perth
Mahli Beardman took 6-24 in his maiden one-day international on Friday in Perth, the best figures by an Australian on an ODI debut, and powered Australia to a crushing victory over England. After the match the 21-year-old said his way of celebrating was simple: "Try and get down to the beach!"
Beardman was player of the match in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final but has only played 26 matches in professional cricket across formats. Two years ago, and with only one professional match to his name, he toured England with Australia's white-ball teams after an impressive Under-19 World Cup but did not play; those short spells at the nets hinted at what might come. Watching Mitchell Johnson in the 2013-14 Ashes inspired him to take up cricket, and he has worked with Dennis Lillee since his teenage years.
On debut Beardman bowled 7.4 overs, finishing with 6-24 and moving the game decisively in Australia's favour; he dismissed Harry Brook with an outside edge for his first ODI wicket at the start of his second over and later accounted for Joe Root, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer. Across his spell he averaged 86.5 mph and produced a top speed of 90.6mph, both the best marks on record for him, while maintaining tight line and length and small movement in and out.
Beardman's composure drew praise from teammates and opponents alike. Captain Mitchell Marsh said: "I would love to live my life like him - pretty carefree, loves the ocean and loves to learn about fast bowling." After the first wicket Beardman recalled: "After I got the first wicket, Zamps [spinner Adam Zampa] ran up, tapped me on the back and said 'keep a level head, mate'" which he said helped calm his adrenaline.
His route to this performance has not been straightforward: in 2025 he suffered the first of two stress injuries in his back and the second followed his only previous Australia appearance, a T20 in Pakistan in January in which he returned figures of 2-33. Two weeks before that T20 he had dismissed and unsettled Steve Smith in a Big Bash play-off. This international was his 12th professional 50-over game to go along with 14 T20s, and his first-class debut remains much anticipated; he has played all of his domestic cricket to date in Perth.
Former players assessed what they saw. Tom Moody told BBC Test Match Special: "He bowled lively, got it to swing both ways, and his control was immaculate. I don't think his heart rate went up much." Michael Vaughan said: "I've seen him in the Big Bash and he just has that persona," adding, "If he stays fit, he has an incredible career ahead of him." Steven Finn commented on TNT Sports: "He offers something quite different to those guys, slightly wider on the crease," and compared his movement to Pat Cummins. Moody later summed up the generational impact, saying: "We've been crying out to see what the next generation looks like. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what it looks like."
Beardman's injuries have shaped his near-term pathway and, as the article notes, "his injuries mean Beardman's immediate future is in white-ball cricket." On the prospect of a red-ball debut for Western Australia he said earlier this year: "It's just a game-by-game thing at the moment. There hasn't been a set date." In giving England another pounding in Perth, Beardman has moved himself towards the front of a queue of Australia's quicks in waiting, a line that also includes 20-year-old left-armer Harry Hoekstra, who has taken 20 wickets in his past three matches in his debut domestic season, and Lance Morris, once dubbed The Wild Thing and who caught the eye of England coach Brendon McCullum last week.
