Mahli Beardman: WA paceman confirmed for ODI debut in Australia’s clash with England at Optus Stadium

Mahli Beardman is locked in to make his ODI debut on his home deck, with the WA quick a confirmed starter for Australia’s clash against England at Optus Stadium on Friday.

Aussie skipper Mitch Marsh on Thursday revealed the selection of the 21-year-old, who made his international debut in a T20 game against Pakistan earlier this year.

“It’s an easy one for me — being a West Australian, he’s straight in,” Marsh joked after confirming the news.

“He’s, as we’ve seen, an amazing talent. He’s a ripping kid.

“(I’m) looking forward to seeing him on a fast and bouncy Perth Stadium wicket.”

Beardman will become just the fourth WA-born player to make his ODI debut in his home state, joining Joel Paris (2016), Michael Hussey (2004) and Damien Fleming (1994).

Long regarded as a bowler of significant potential, the Dunsborough-born tearaway’s career has developed rapidly since playing a starring role in Australia’s victorious Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign in 2024.

He was first called into an ODI squad midway through Australia’s tour of England later that year, despite having made only one senior 50-over appearance for his State.

Shortly after making his international debut in January, he was cut down by a recurrence of a stress fracture in his back, which he has now recovered from.

Marsh, who has played alongside Beardman for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and in WA’s One-Day Cup side, said the 21-year-old had developed rapidly since joining the senior State program three years ago.

“For a young kid, he really understands his game,” Marsh said.

“He loves to bowl fast — he’s always on record saying he wants to bowl fast and that’s an attitude that you can’t always teach.

“The times that I have played with him, in big moments, he’s always got a smile on his face.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him out there tomorrow.”

Australia will wait until the toss to confirm their final XI, which could feature five West Aussies if Cam Green, Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly join Marsh and Beardman in the line-up.

After joking it “should be 11”, Marsh said he was looking forward to seeing how his young side would handle a series which has fallen inside a year before the next edition of the Cricket World Cup.

“It’s always nice to have those boys,” he said.

“There’s some great talent in this side, it’s really exciting. We’ve got a young bowling attack and we’ve got some real firepower. How we click is going to be really important.

“England are a really good side. If you look at the XI they’ll have tomorrow, they’re a really well balanced side with fast bowlers, really good spinners, all-rounders and a long batting line-up.

“It’s going to be tough, but we’re looking forward to that challenge.”