CHENNAI: At a time when Australian cricket could do with some good news, 21-year-old Mahli Beardman provided a glimmer of hope. The young fast bowler made an extraordinary impression on his ODI debut, claiming 6/24 in 7.4 overs to dismantle England on a lively Perth pitch in the series opener.
England were bundled out for 131 in 33.4 overs, with Australia subsequently chasing down the target in 23.3 overs to seal a convincing win and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Beardman recorded the best bowling figures by an Australian on ODI debut and the fourth-best overall. He also needed just 28 deliveries to complete his five-wicket haul, the fastest by an Australian in the format.
The young right-arm fast bowler has grown up admiring two fast-bowling greats — Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn. There was a familiar aggression to the performance, in addition to the knack of trying to pitch the ball up and inducing the edge. He got dismissed Harry Brook and Joe Root with deliveries that got the edges and followed it up with short-pitched stuff as well that completely dismantled the English line-up.
It was in Oct that Beardman was going all guns blazing in Puducherry for Australia ‘A’, setting up a series win in the 50-over format. During the tour, when TOI caught up with Beardman, the pacer said: “Johnson’s 2013-14 Ashes campaign against England left a huge impression on me. Watching him bowl with that aggression really fuelled my interest in fast bowling. Steyn was my favourite. I followed him closely growing up and even tried to replicate his bowling action. Those two were my biggest inspirations,” Beardman said.
Beardman values the opportunity to learn from Australia’s celebrated pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc , having already picked their brains during previous assignments. “Bowling alongside them would be a fantastic opportunity. Starc has been particularly generous with his advice, while Pat and Josh have also been helpful whenever I’ve had the chance to interact with them,” he said.
Brief scores: Australia 132-3 in 23.3 overs (M Marsh 50) beat England 131 in 33.4 overs (M Beardman 6-24, S Johnson 3-42) by seven wickets.