How Beardman turned Dennis Lillee's 'no' into a 'yes'

Emerging pace star Mahli Beardman has heaped praise on his mentor Dennis Lillee after producing one of the finest debuts ever seen in ODI cricket.

Beardman snared 6-24 to lead Australia to a crushing seven-wicket victory over England in the ODI series opener at Optus Stadium on Friday.

The 21-year-old’s figures were the fourth best by a debutant in ODI history, and the fact they came against a full-strength England outfit added even more weight to the display.

After the match, Beardman paid special tribute to the mentoring Lillee has provided him over the years, and even revealed the 77-year-old Test great initially said “no”.

Beardman grew up in Cowaramup, a coastal town in Western Australia close to Margaret River.

It was there that winemaker Max Montgomery noted Beardman’s explosive speed.

Knowing his mate Rod Duggan was a contact to Lillee, Montgomery tried to get the wheels in motion.

Lillee initially turned down the request to meet up with Beardman, who was in his early teens at the time.

After all, Lillee had a policy of waiting until bowlers were at least 16 until working with them.

But the Beardman clan aren’t renowned for taking no for an answer.

“Just through my persistence after a couple of months, he sort of gave in,” Beardman said after Friday’s match-winning display.

“We did a session at South Perth, and ever since then I’ve been fortunate enough to have DK in my corner, and he’s been incredible for me.

“His understanding of fast bowling and how simple he makes stuff is something that is amazing, and something that I try and lean into as much as possible.

“He’s obviously one of the greats of the game, and his understanding of making difficult things seem so simple is something that is incredible.”

Beardman grew up idolising South Africa great Dale Steyn, while Australians Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were also big inspirations.

“I absolutely loved watching (Steyn) bowl growing up, and Mitchell Johnson for that 2013-14 Ashes series was sort of the reason I picked the cricket ball up in the first place,” Beardman said.

“I’ve been lucky enough and fortunate enough to be able to have some chats with Mitch, and he’s a great man. What he did for cricket inspired me the most.

“I think Steyn early doors and then obviously watching Pat and Starcy and what they’ve done over the last 10 to 15 years, I take a lot of inspiration from.”

Back issues have prevented Beardman from making his Sheffield Shield debut.

If all goes well, that could change this summer, with a spot in the Test team down the track a growing possibility.

For now, Beardman is just happy to be out on the park, and he’ll be aiming to back up Friday’s heroics when he lines up against England in Adelaide on Sunday.

Australia lead the three-match ODI series 1-0, and Beardman has also been selected for the five-match T20 series that follows.

“I’ve had quite an average run with injuries so far, which has obviously been pretty frustrating,” he said.

“The red-ball space has always been there. I’ve always wanted to do it. It just hasn’t quite clicked yet.

“If that opportunity arises, then obviously I’ll try and take that with both hands. But that’s not something that I’m forcing at the moment.”