Who Is Mahli Beardman? Australia’s 6-for-24 ODI Debut vs England

Updated November 13, 2026, 12:01 UTC. Mahli Beardman announced himself in one-day internationals with 6 wickets for 24 runs on debut against England in Perth. England were dismissed for 131, and Australia chased the target to win the first ODI by seven wickets, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.

For Canadian viewers catching up on Australia vs England, Beardman is the 21-year-old right-arm quick from Western Australia whose pace and movement helped trigger England’s collapse. The Perth performance followed a promising return from injury and turned a highly rated prospect into one of the series’ immediate storylines.

Who is Mahli Beardman?

Beardman is an Australian fast bowler born in Dunsborough, Western Australia. He bats right-handed and bowls right-arm pace. He represents Western Australia domestically and the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. Cricket Australia lists his date of birth as August 31, 2005, and records his ODI debut as November 13, 2026.

His rise began before the England series. Beardman made his One-Day Cup debut for Western Australia in 2023 at age 18. In early 2024, he was part of Australia’s Under-19 World Cup-winning campaign in South Africa, taking 10 wickets in the tournament. His 3 for 15 in the final helped Australia secure the title. These performances marked him as a prospect, but senior international cricket still required a further step up.

What happened in Beardman’s ODI debut against England?

Australia confirmed Beardman in the XI for the first ODI at Perth Stadium. England were bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs. Beardman finished with 6 for 24, and Australia completed the chase at 132 for 3. He struck in his second over, taking Brook, then dismissed Root, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer. His figures were a major part of the result, though the full team effort mattered: Spencer Johnson took three wickets and Mitchell Marsh led the chase with a rapid half-century.

The performance built on Beardman’s earlier international debut in T20 cricket. He first represented Australia in a T20I against Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 2026, taking 2 for 33. A back stress injury interrupted his season soon afterward. Cricket Australia reported that he spent seven months recovering, returned to action in September, and impressed on Australia A’s 50-over tour of India, including a 4 for 23 in one match.

How does Beardman bowl, and what should viewers watch?

Beardman’s calling card is pace. Ahead of the England series, he told Cricket Australia he was regularly reaching the mid-140 kilometres-per-hour range. In Perth, ABC reported a top speed of 145.4 km/h. That speed can hurry batters, particularly when paired with bounce and movement off the pitch. In his debut spell, several wickets came through edges, while a bouncer helped produce another catch in the deep.

For viewers, watch his length and how early he attacks the stumps or the outside edge. Fast bowlers can create pressure without taking a wicket on every delivery: pace can force defensive shots, rushed decisions and difficult catches. Beardman’s debut showed that potential, but one match cannot establish a long-term pattern. Opponents will study his release, preferred lengths and response when batters attack.

Why is Beardman’s role important for Australia?

Australia entered the ODI series without established Test quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Their absence gave a younger pace group more responsibility. Before the match, captain Mitchell Marsh described Beardman as a fast-bowling talent and confirmed his place in the opener. The Perth result makes Beardman’s emergence timely, while leaving selection and workload decisions to the team management.

The next practical question is whether he can repeat the skills across different conditions and matches. England’s remaining games provide that test, but future wickets are not guaranteed. Australia’s series lead gives the home side momentum; England can still respond, and Beardman will face batters who now have fresh footage of his international bowling.

What comes next in Australia vs England?

After the Perth opener, the second ODI is scheduled for Adelaide on November 15 and the third for Hobart on November 18. Cricket Australia lists the match start times as 2:30 p.m. AEDT. Those times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time; Perth’s first ODI was played in Western Australia. Canadian viewers should check their local listings for broadcast availability and time conversion.

For now, Beardman’s profile is clear: a young Western Australian quick, shaped by a successful Under-19 campaign, interrupted by a back injury, and now fresh from a remarkable ODI debut. The six-wicket haul is the headline. Whether he becomes a regular international option will depend on fitness, consistency and how he adapts as opponents adjust.

Sources: Cricket Australia player profile; Cricket Australia: Beardman confirmed for ODI debut; ABC News match report.

FAQ

How old is Mahli Beardman?

He is 21, according to Cricket Australia’s profile as of November 2026.

What are Mahli Beardman’s bowling figures against England?

He took 6 wickets for 24 runs on his ODI debut in Perth on November 13, 2026.

Which teams does Mahli Beardman play for?

He represents Australia internationally, Western Australia in domestic cricket and the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.