Who Is Mahli Beardman? Australia’s New Fast-Bowling Prospect Makes His ODI Debut

Verified and updated: November 13, 2026, 5:06 a.m. GMT (UTC).

Mahli Beardman is a 21-year-old Australian fast bowler who made his One-Day International debut against England at Perth Stadium on Friday. In the latest Cricket Australia live update checked at 5:06 a.m. GMT, England were 63 for 7 in their first innings; Beardman had dismissed captain Harry Brook earlier in the innings. The match began at 11:30 a.m. in Perth (Australian Western Standard Time, UTC+08:00), or 3:30 a.m. GMT.

That debut is the latest step in a rapid rise for the Western Australia and Perth Scorchers bowler. He is known for right-arm pace, has already played for Australia in T20 cricket, and was Player of the Match in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup final. For England v Australia followers, he is a new name in a reshaped Australian pace attack—and a player whose progress will be watched beyond this match.

• Australia handed Beardman ODI cap No. 255 for his hometown debut.
• He took 2 for 33 on his T20 international debut against Pakistan in January 2026.
• He claimed 10 wickets at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, including 3 for 15 in the final.
• His return from a back stress injury and his pace are central to the interest around him.

Who is Mahli Beardman?

Beardman was born in Western Australia and represents the state in domestic cricket. He is a right-handed batter and right-arm fast bowler, but his profile is built primarily around his bowling. Western Australian Cricket Association describes him as one of Australia’s promising young quicks and notes that he can swing the new ball and has exceeded 140 km/h.

He made his List A debut for Western Australia in 2023, aged 18, and took a wicket against New South Wales. He later joined the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League. The club and state pathway has given him experience in one-day and T20 cricket while he works toward a longer-term place in Australia’s senior attack.

Why is Beardman in the news against England?

Australia named Beardman in its white-ball squads for the England series, then confirmed he would play in the opening ODI in Perth. Captain Mitchell Marsh publicly backed the youngster and highlighted his talent and enthusiasm for bowling fast. His selection comes with Australia resting the experienced fast-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the white-ball matches. Xavier Bartlett leads a less experienced pace group that also includes Spencer Johnson.

For Beardman, the first ODI is a step up in format and opposition, not his first appearance for Australia. Cricket Australia’s player profile records his T20 international debut against Pakistan in Lahore in January, where he took 2 for 33. In the current match, the live update confirms that he has already taken Brook’s wicket as England’s innings has lost seven wickets for 63 runs. Live scores can change quickly, so that figure is a snapshot rather than a final result.

What is Beardman’s injury history?

Back fitness has shaped his early international schedule. Cricket Australia reported that Beardman experienced back soreness during the Pakistan T20 series and scans showed a recurrence of stress fractures he had dealt with previously. He spent months rebuilding his strength before returning to competitive cricket. In the lead-up to the England series, he said he had been working in the gym and was feeling ready to bowl again.

That history is one reason expectations should stay measured. Raw pace can make a bowler exciting to watch, but sustaining workloads and building experience across formats take time. Beardman has said that red-ball cricket remains an ambition, while acknowledging that his priority is to prove his fitness and take opportunities game by game. He has not yet made a Sheffield Shield debut, Australia’s first-class competition.

What should England v Australia viewers watch for?

Watch how Beardman uses his pace and the conditions, especially with the new ball and against established batters. Perth Stadium can offer pace and bounce, but success depends on control as much as speed: line, length, movement and the ability to adjust when batters attack. His dismissal of Brook in the debut innings gives an early example of the attention he is attracting, though one match cannot establish a settled international record.

His next opportunities depend on selection, fitness and performance. He was included in Australia’s ODI and T20 squads for the England tour, so the series may give him more chances in white-ball cricket. Any prediction about a long-term role remains conditional: Australia have experienced fast bowlers to return, and Beardman still needs time to build a body of work at international level.

Sources checked: Cricket Australia’s live blog, Cricket Australia’s Beardman profile interview, Western Australian Cricket Association player profile and Cricket Australia’s match officials schedule.

FAQs

How old is Mahli Beardman?

He is 21, according to his official player profiles, and was born on August 31, 2005.

What kind of bowler is Mahli Beardman?

He is a right-arm fast bowler known for pace and the ability to swing the new ball.

Has Mahli Beardman played for Australia before?

Yes. He made his T20 international debut against Pakistan in January 2026 before making his ODI debut against England in Perth.