Beardman's 6/24 on debut dismantles England as Australia win first ODI in Perth

At Perth on November 13, 2026, Mahli Beardman produced one of the most remarkable ODI debut bowling performances in cricket history, taking 6 wickets for 24 runs in 7.4 overs as England were dismissed for 131 in 33.4 overs in the first ODI of the series. Australia then chased down the target with 7 wickets in hand and 159 balls to spare, completing the win in just 23.3 overs.

The 21-year-old became the first Australian bowler to claim six or more wickets on ODI debut, surpassing Tony Dodemaide's 5/21 set in 1988, a record that had stood for 38 years. Globally, Beardman is only the fifth bowler in ODI history to take six or more wickets on debut.

England's batting lineup crumbled under Beardman's spell. He dismissed Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jordan Cox and Sam Curran across his 7.4 overs, with five of those wickets falling in a burst of just 28 balls. Root, notably, was playing his 200th ODI when Beardman had him dismissed. Liam Dawson, Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson were among the other England batters, with Atkinson finishing unbeaten on 29 as the only meaningful resistance. Spencer Johnson chipped in with 3 wickets, accounting for 42 of England's runs conceded in the innings.

Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw featured in Australia's chase, with Mitchell Marsh, the Australian captain, anchoring the reply. Travis Head was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Gus Atkinson, while Cooper Connolly made 27 before falling to Jofra Archer. Marsh himself struck 50 off 30 balls, hitting boundaries off Jamie Overton to accelerate the chase. Matt Renshaw and Josh Inglis helped Australia close out the win comfortably, reaching the target in 23.3 overs with 159 balls remaining.

How did Beardman dismantle England's batting order?

Beardman's spell was built on consistent pace and movement at Perth. He was brought into the attack and immediately made an impact, dismissing the middle order, including Harry Brook and the milestone man Joe Root in his 200th ODI appearance. Jordan Cox and Sam Curran also fell to Beardman, making it four wickets for the debutant. The critical phase came when he took five wickets in a span of just 28 balls, leaving England's lower order with little to work with. Gus Atkinson's unbeaten 29 and Will Jacks' 25 provided some late resistance but could not prevent England from being bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs. Spencer Johnson supported Beardman well, taking 3 wickets and conceding 42 runs in his spell.

England's total of 131 was never going to be competitive at Perth, and Australia's bowlers, led by Beardman, ensured the visitors had no platform to build from. Travis Head's first-ball duck off Atkinson was the only early setback for Australia in the chase.

How did Australia complete the chase and what records did Beardman set?

Australia's batters made short work of the 132-run target. Mitchell Marsh, the captain, led from the front with a brisk 50 off 30 balls, striking boundaries and four sixes. Cooper Connolly contributed 27 before Jofra Archer dismissed him, and Josh Inglis along with Matt Renshaw helped see Australia home in 23.3 overs, leaving 159 balls unused and winning by 7 wickets.

Beardman's 6/24 in 7.4 overs is now the best bowling figure by an Australian on ODI debut, eclipsing Dodemaide's 5/21 from 1988, a mark that had survived for 38 years. He is also only the fifth bowler worldwide to take six or more wickets on ODI debut, and the first Australian to achieve the feat. The performance came in the 10th over of the 2nd ODI series match at Perth, underlining how quickly Beardman made his mark at the highest level at just 21 years of age.