Mahli Beardman took 6 for 24 on his ODI debut as Australia bowled England out for 131 and won the first match of their series by seven wickets in Perth on Friday. Captain Mitchell Marsh then made 50 to help turn an exceptional bowling performance into a comfortable chase.
Australia reached 132 for 3 in 23.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead. The result leaves England needing a response in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
What record did Beardman break?
Beardman’s figures are the best by an Australian man on ODI debut, surpassing Tony Dodemaide’s 5 for 21 against Sri Lanka in 1988, according to Cricket Australia’s match report. The 21-year-old completed his six-wicket haul in 7.4 overs.
That is an Australian debut record, not a claim that nobody from any country has taken better figures on ODI debut. It was a particularly sharp introduction because two of his victims were Harry Brook, out for one, and Joe Root, dismissed for 17.
England’s problem was the collapse, not just the total
England fell to 65 for 8 before Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson helped push the innings past three figures. Atkinson finished unbeaten on 29, while Jacks and Tom Banton each made 25. Spencer Johnson supported Beardman with 3 for 42; Xavier Bartlett took the other wicket.
As Sky Sports’ report explains, several England batters were caught trying to drive in conditions offering bounce and movement. Australia had already removed the established batting before the late resistance arrived.
Marsh kept the chase under control
Travis Head fell for a golden duck, but Marsh’s four sixes prevented England from building sustained pressure. Cooper Connolly contributed 27, and Matthew Renshaw finished unbeaten on 26 as Australia won with more than 26 overs unused.
The practical consequence is straightforward: Australia can clinch the three-match series in Adelaide, while England must win to keep it alive. Beardman’s breakthrough also gave the hosts an on-field success on a day dominated by Pat Cummins’ response to the renewed ball-tampering allegations. The bowling result and that disputed off-field account remain separate stories.
