Beardman six-for and Marsh fifty steer Australia to seven-wicket win over England in Perth

Mahli Beardman's six-wicket debut and captain Mitchell Marsh's rapid fifty powered Australia to a seven-wicket victory over England in the first ODI in Perth on Friday.

The match took place amid renewed focus on the Sandpapergate scandal after a high-profile press conference from Pat Cummins on Friday, hours before the toss; Cummins called the allegations made by Usman Khawaja's book "complete and utter nonsense." With attention fixed on off-field controversy, local debutant Beardman and Marsh redirected the headlines to the game itself.

Beardman claimed six wickets, finishing with figures of 6 for 24 in 7.4 overs on debut, the best return by an Australian bowler in his first ODI appearance. The 21-year-old pacer from Perth, described in the report as a surfer who enjoys fishing and disconnects from outside noise, produced his haul on a surface that offered pace and bounce and was noted as ready to step up in the absence of the experienced trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Australia's decision to bowl first yielded early rewards as England lost Ben Duckett and Tom Banton in short order. Beardman's first breakthrough saw Harry Brook nick a delivery that moved in before straightening off the surface, and he then dismissed Joe Root—playing his 200th ODI—with a ball that found the outside edge.

England's middle order crumbled quickly as Jordan Cox edged behind, Sam Curran was beaten by a short-pitched delivery and Liam Dawson became Beardman's fifth victim, leaving the visitors precariously placed at 60/7. Beardman had taken those five wickets in just 28 deliveries, extracting movement and bounce to dismantle the core of England's batting.

Mitchell Johnson provided support with figures of 3/42, while Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson produced a late 37-run stand for the ninth wicket, Atkinson finishing unbeaten on 29 to push England's total to a slightly more respectable score. Beardman returned to claim Jofra Archer, who was caught at gully, completing the six-wicket haul on debut.

England briefly struck in the chase when Gus Atkinson bowled Travis Head for a golden duck in the first over, but Marsh responded aggressively, reaching fifty in 30 deliveries with four sixes and four fours. Jamie Overton eventually removed Marsh, Cooper Connolly added 27 before Jofra Archer dismissed him, and Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw finished the job as Australia reached the target in 23.3 overs, winning by seven wickets with 159 balls remaining.

The victory arrived in the first ODI of the series between the two sides.