Hours after Cummins' extraordinary press conference in Sydney, a young fast bowler made a big splash in Perth

Tristan Lavalette

Published: Nov 13, 2026, 6:34 AM (4 hrs ago)

Australia 132 for 3 (Marsh 50, Atkinson 1-40) beat England 131 (Atkinson 29*, Beardman 6-24, Johnson 3-42) by seven wickets

In a much-needed tonic during a turbulent period for Australian cricket, emerging quick Mahli Beardman produced a spectacular six-wicket haul on ODI debut as Australia crushed England in the ODI series-opener on a pacy Perth Stadium surface.

Hours after Pat Cummins wrapped up an extraordinary press conference that gripped the nation, Beardman, 21, provided momentary relief and a glimpse of the future with 6 for 24 in 7.4 overs. It was the best figures by an Australian on ODI debut and the fourth overall. England were bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs in front of 27,313 fans.

In reply, captain Mitchell Marsh cracked 50 off 30 balls as Australia made light work of the chase to claim victory in the 24th over.

It wasn't all rosy for Australia with opener Travis Head falling in familiar fashion in the second over - dragging the ball onto his stumps for a golden duck, giving Gus Atkinson a wicket with his first delivery.

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One day after being grilled over the sandpaper scandal, having played all four Tests on the 2018 South Africa tour, Marsh was far more comfortable out in the middle of his home ground. In the space of three balls, he blasted two huge sixes on the leg side to treat Jofra Archer's short-pitched bowling with disdain. He also thumped a couple of blows down the ground to race to his half-century off 29 balls.

It was Marsh's fourth consecutive ODI half-century on the back of an excellent series in South Africa, but he fell on the next delivery he faced after flicking Jamie Overton straight to deep square.

No.3 Cooper Connolly stroked 27 off 30 before gifting Archer his only wicket when he hit straight to backward point. Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw put on the finishing touches as Australia drew first blood in the three-match series.

England again opted for left-arm spinner Liam Dawson over veteran Adil Rashid, who was overlooked for most of the Pakistan tri-series. Given the situation, the selection debate will rage on with Dawson not deployed into the attack.

All eyes at the start were on Beardman, a precocious talent who has had a torrid run of back injuries so far in his fledgling career. He received warm applause from his home fans, clearly the biggest ovation when the teams were announced pre-game, before Marsh chose to bowl in pristine Perth sun shine. His only previous international match was a T20I in Pakistan earlier this year.

After such a furore off the field, Australia's home summer was launched with Xavier Bartlett bowling a perfect outswinger to Tom Banton, who was beaten.

Beardman did not get the new ball, but made his presence felt by showcasing outstanding athleticism with a terrific one-handed diving effort that stopped a boundary wide of fine leg. Entering the attack in the 10th over, he ran rampant with speeds in the mid-140 kph as he shook up England's batting order with a mix of shorter and fuller lengths. Beardman nicked off captain Harry Brook and Joe Root with superb deliveries before running through the middle-order. Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson also claimed 3 for 42.

Banton and Ben Duckett hoped to continue their blossoming opening partnership after a productive period on the flat pitches during the tri-series in Pakistan. But they struggled with the searing bounce, scraping together an unconvincing 24-run stand.

Banton was lucky to get away with a thick edge that flew over the slips after miscuing an attempted pull off Johnson. Duckett never looked settled and on 9 sliced Johnson to backward point after attempting a particularly risky shot on this surface - a square drive on the up.

Root entered amid the familiar tune of 'Hey Joe', as the healthy number of England fans found voice in the terraces. But his milestone 200th ODI did not go to plan. He looked uncharacteristically scratchy at the crease and was fortunate to be dropped on 3 by Connolly at backward point. Bartlett was left frustrated, but his mood soon improved when he had Banton edging to first slip.

Beardman was a complete menace after being unleashed. He showed no nerves in his first international match on home soil, starting with a maiden - an over marked by accurate back of a length bowling. His first wicket was particularly memorable, a pearler of a delivery that angled in then moved away wickedly to catch the edge of Brook's bat.

Root had crawled to 12 off 33 balls before scoring his first boundary when a thick inside edge off Beardman flew between his legs. He was left helpless moments later when he edged a full ball that shaped away, a wicked delivery that was reminiscent of Dale Steyn whom David Warner has likened Beardman to.

Beardman had the giddy crowd in the palm of his hands, with fans clapping loudly as he ran into bowl - reminiscent of his mentor Dennis Lillee long ago. He was not nearly done, nicking off Jordan Cox before bouncing out Sam Curran. Beardman raised the ball aloft after having Dawson caught at backward point. He had a five-for in just 28 balls - the quickest ever by an Australian bowler in ODIs.

England appeared in grave danger of falling short of their lowest ODI score of 86 against Australia in Manchester in 2001. Atkinson and Will Jacks produced a 37-run ninth-wicket partnership to ensure that ignominy was at least avoided. But it was not nearly enough as Beardman finished the innings by dismissing Archer, walking off the field to thunderous applause.

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth