Beardman takes 6-24 on debut as Australia bowl England out for 131 in Perth

Mahli Beardman's 6 for 24 on debut is the best return by an Australian in a first ODI and it left England all out for 131 at Perth Stadium

England were bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs in the first ODI of their tour of Australia on Friday, after Mitchell Marsh won the toss and put them in at Perth Stadium.

The damage was done by a 21-year-old playing his first one-day international. Mahli Beardman finished with 6-24, the best figures by an Australian man on ODI debut, beating Tony Dodemaide's 5-21 against Sri Lanka in 1988 — a mark the ICC noted had stood for 38 years.

Only three bowlers have returned better figures on ODI debut: Scotland's Charlie Cassell with 7-21 against Oman in 2024, Kagiso Rabada with 6-16 against Bangladesh in 2015 and Fidel Edwards with 6-22 against Zimbabwe in 2003. Spencer Johnson took 3-42 in support.

A second over that set the tone

Beardman's first wicket came in his second over, when he removed England's captain Harry Brook for a single. He later said Brook was his favourite of the six.

Joe Root followed for 17, and England were 55 for 4 inside 14 overs with the innings already beyond repair.

Beardman had conceded only 18 runs in his first six overs by then, and completed his five-wicket haul in 28 balls.

The middle order folds

Jordan Cox made 2, Sam Curran was dismissed for 0 from seven balls and Liam Dawson for 0 from six, Adam Zampa taking the catch that accounted for Curran.

Johnson had already removed Ben Duckett, caught by Jack Edwards at backward point after the opener had edged him, and he held a one-handed catch off his own bowling to see off Jamie Overton.

England were 65 for 8 by the 19th over, having lost seven wickets for 41 runs after a steady start that had taken them to 24 in the first five overs.

Jacks and Atkinson delay the end

Will Jacks made 25 from 47 balls and put on a ninth-wicket stand with Gus Atkinson before Johnson removed him.

Atkinson was left unbeaten on 29 from 32 balls as the top scorer of the innings. Tom Banton had earlier made 25 from 27 before Xavier Bartlett dismissed him.

Beardman closed the innings by trapping Jofra Archer for 11 as the last man out.

A Western Australian on debut at home

Beardman was born in Dunsborough and raised in Margaret River, and has played for Western Australia since 2023-24 and the Perth Scorchers since 2024-25.

He was named player of the match in Australia's 2024 Under-19 World Cup final win over India, taking 3-15, and his only previous international appearance was a T20I against Pakistan in January.

"I'm not sure what's just happened," he said afterwards, adding that he had been nervous early on and that once his first few deliveries settled, "everything started to feel natural." He credited Marsh as "an incredible leader" who had helped calm his nerves.

An attack without the first-choice quicks

Australia named the side without Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, all being rested ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, leaving Marsh to lead a reshaped attack.

The series opener also arrived with renewed attention on the 2018 ball-tampering affair, following claims made in Usman Khawaja's autobiography that Cummins has rejected.

Australia began their reply needing 132 to win and were 30 for 1 after 4.2 overs.

Scorecard: England 131 all out in 33.4 overs (Atkinson 29 not out, Banton 25, Jacks 25; Beardman 6-24, Johnson 3-42); Australia 30 for 1 after 4.2 overs, chasing 132 at Perth Stadium.