Beardman Takes 6-24 on Debut as England Collapse in Perth

Beardman – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk0 – Mahli Beardman could not have asked for a better start to his international career. The young Australian fast bowler took 6-24 on debut as England crashed to 131 all out in the first ODI in Perth on Friday.

The 21-year-old West Australian bowled with real pace and plenty of aggression. He tore through the England top order, and most of the batsmen got out to poor shots.

Left-arm quick Spencer Johnson gave him great support. He finished with 3-42 as England fell apart on the drop-in wicket at Optus Stadium. The visitors were bowled out in just 33.4 overs.

England’s openers, Ben Duckett and Tom Banton, started calmly. They were not troubled much and took the score to 24 off five overs.

Then Duckett slashed at a Johnson delivery outside off stump. He edged it to Jack Edwards at backward point, and the slide began.

England lost 7 wickets for just 41 runs. Their batsmen could not handle the seam and swing from Beardman and Johnson.

At 65-8, England looked set to be bowled out for under 100. That would have been a huge embarrassment for the visitors.

Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson then stepped up and saved some pride. Jacks was caught first ball after the drinks break for 25. Beardman then removed Jofra Archer, which left Atkinson not out on 29 from 32 balls, the top score of the innings.

The three-match series began quietly, as many eyes were on the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal. It returned to the headlines after former Australian opener Usman Khawaja launched his autobiography.

On the field, though, the day belonged to Beardman. His debut spell will be remembered for a long time.