Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match one-day series against England on Friday, winning the opening ODI at Perth Stadium by seven wickets with more than 26 overs to spare.
The day belonged to fast bowler Mahli Beardman. On his ODI debut he took 6-24 from 7.4 overs, the best figures by an Australian on one-day international debut, according to Sky Sports, improving on Tony Dodemaide’s 5-21 against Sri Lanka in 1988.
England collapse for 131
Batting first, England were bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs. Nobody reached 30: Gus Atkinson made an unbeaten 29 from 32 balls, while Will Jacks (25 from 47) and Tom Banton (25 from 27) were the only other batters to pass 20.
Beardman was backed up by Spencer Johnson, who finished with 3-42, and Xavier Bartlett (1-46).
Marsh finishes it quickly
Australia’s chase of 132 never looked in doubt. Captain Mitchell Marsh hit 50 from 30 balls, Cooper Connolly added 27 and Matt Renshaw saw the side home unbeaten on 26 as Australia reached 132-3 in 23.3 overs.
England captain Harry Brook was frank afterwards. “Beardman was outstanding,” he said, adding: “We probably didn’t execute our skills well enough.” Marsh, asked about his young fast bowler, said: “I would love to live my life like him.” (Quotes as reported by Sky Sports.)
Context: a weakened Australia attack
Australia are without Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who have been rested for the white-ball series, which made Beardman’s performance all the more significant. Marsh is captaining the side in the ODIs and T20Is.
The match was played against the backdrop of renewed debate over the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering affair, after claims in a book by Usman Khawaja. Cummins has publicly rejected those claims; Marsh declined to discuss the issue, Sky Sports reported.
What’s next
- 2nd ODI: Sunday 15 November, Adelaide Oval
- 3rd ODI: Wednesday 18 November, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
- 1st T20I: Saturday 21 November, MCG, Melbourne — the first of five T20Is
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