Mahli Beardman: WA paceman confirmed for ODI debut in Australia’s clash with England at Optus Stadium

Detailed summary

Mahli Beardman is locked in to make his ODI debut on his home deck, with the WA quick a confirmed starter for Australia’s clash against England at Optus Stadium on Friday.

Mahli Beardman is locked in to make his ODI debut on his home deck, with the WA quick a confirmed starter for Australia’s clash against England at Optus Stadium on Friday.

Aussie skipper Mitch Marsh on Thursday revealed the selection of the 21-year-old, who made his international debut in a T20 game against Pakistan earlier this year.

“It’s an easy one for me — being a West Australian, he’s straight in,” Marsh joked after confirming the news.

“(I’m) looking forward to seeing him on a fast and bouncy Perth Stadium wicket.”

Beardman will become just the fourth WA-born player to make his ODI debut in his home state, joining Joel Paris (2016), Michael Hussey (2004) and Damien Fleming (1994).

Long regarded as a bowler of significant potential, the Dunsborough-born tearaway’s career has developed rapidly since playing a starring role in Australia’s victorious Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign in 2024.

He was first called into an ODI squad midway through Australia’s tour of England later that year, despite having made only one senior 50-over appearance for his State.

Shortly after making his international debut in January, he was cut down by a recurrence of a stress fracture in his back, which he has now recovered from.

Marsh, who has played alongside Beardman for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and in WA’s One-Day Cup side, said the 21-year-old had developed rapidly since joining the senior State program three years ago.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The West Australian. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.