Who is Mahli Beardman? 5 interesting facts about uncapped Australia seamer added as cover for ENG vs AUS ODI series
Australia began their five-match ODI series against England with an impressive seven-wicket victory in the first game at Trent Bridge on Thursday, September 19.
Batting first, England set a solid total of 315 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Ben Duckett (95) and Will Jacks (62). In reply, Australia lost captain Mitchell Marsh for just 10 runs, but Travis Head was in exceptional form. He and Marnus Labuschagne shared an unbeaten 148-run partnership off 107 balls for the fourth wicket, leading Australia to victory with six overs to spare.
Head played a spectacular innings, remaining unbeaten on 154 runs off 129 balls, including 20 boundaries and five sixes. Labuschagne, on the other hand, contributed 77 not out off 61 balls, with seven fours and two sixes.
Despite the visitors' strong start, they are facing a wave of injuries among their fast bowlers. Xavier Bartlett suffered a side strain during the first T20I against England, and Nathan Ellis was withdrawn from the Scotland leg of the tour after exacerbating a previous injury sustained during The Hundred.
Spencer Johnson was ruled out before the tour commenced, and Riley Meredith did not play after the first T20I in Scotland, both due to side issues. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc missed the game due to illness, which meant that bowling cover Ben Dwarshuis debuted in the first match. However, the left-arm pacer also left the field after bowling four overs due to a suspected pectoral strain.
Additionally, there is one more bowler who earned his maiden national call-up and has been with the team as a traveling reserve: Mahli Beardman. As the young bowler awaits his debut, we will look at five interesting facts about the uncapped Australian seamer added as cover for the ENG vs AUS ODI series.
#1 Mahli Beardman was part of Australia's 2024 U-19 World Cup-winning squad
Mahli Beardman was a key member of the Australian team that triumphed in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup. The 19-year-old earned the Player of the Match award in the final against India. Batting first, Australia posted a total of 253 runs for seven wickets in their 50 overs, with Harjas Singh leading the scoring with 55 runs.
In response, Mahli Beardman took out three of the top four Indian batters. The pacer finished with three wickets in his seven-over spell, conceding just 15 runs and bowling two maidens, as Australia won the match by 79 runs.
#2 He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and can exceed speeds of 140 km/h
The Western Australian pacer stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and demonstrated his impressive speed during the U-19 World Cup, where he took 10 wickets in five innings while consistently exceeding 140 km/h. With Australian pitches favoring pace, the young bowler could prove to be a significant asset in the coming years.
Mahli Beardman will be eager to make an impact in England if he gets the opportunity to play in the remaining four matches of the series.
#3 He was the top wicket-taker for Western Australia in the 2023-24 Cricket Australia Male Under-19 National Championships
Mahli Beardman's maiden national call-up is well-deserved, reflecting his consistent progress in domestic championships. The right-arm pacer shone for Western Australia in the 2023-24 Cricket Australia Male Under-19 National Championships, taking nine wickets in four innings.
He is part of a group of promising young fast bowlers that Australian selectors have been closely watching, alongside Callum Vidler, Charlie Anderson, and Tom Straker.
#4 The pacer has played just one List A match to date
The 19-year-old has appeared in only one List A match for Western Australia, which occurred in 2023 during The Marsh Cup against New South Wales. Batting first, Western Australia was all out for 216, with Josh Philippe top-scoring at 60 in a rain-affected match.
The New South Wales needed to chase down 222 runs in 43 overs and accomplished it with one over to spare, winning by two wickets. In the match, Mahli Beardman bowled six overs, conceding 42 runs and taking one wicket.
#5 Beardman signed a two-year contract with Perth Scorchers earlier this year
The Western Australia pacer has signed a two-year contract with Big Bash League team Perth Scorchers.
Reflecting on his initial contract with the Scorchers, Mahli Beardman stated:
"I grew up watching the Scorchers both at the WACA Ground and Optus Stadium. The atmosphere of 50,000 people and the energy at Optus is something so special and to potentially have the opportunity to be immersed in that is so exciting."
"The idea of testing myself against some of the country’s best players is also very exciting. I took heaps away from my WA debut last year and have confidence I’ll be ready to play my role for the side when a chance comes up," he added.
The new Big Bash League season will begin on December 15, 2024.