Who is Mahli Beardman? 21-year-old Australian pacer made buzz with historic ODI debut

Australia have consistently produced some of the most fearsome fast bowlers in cricket, and another promising name has now joined that illustrious list. Young pacer Mahli Beardman made a remarkable impression on the international stage on November 13, delivering a sensational performance against England in his maiden One Day International (ODI) at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The 21-year-old’s extraordinary spell not only helped Australia dominate their arch-rivals but also saw him rewrite a long-standing national record. Here is everything you need to know about the rising Australian fast bowler.

Who is Mahli Beardman?

Beardman was born on August 31, 2005, in Dunsborough, Western Australia. He spent his formative years in Margaret River, a picturesque coastal region better known for its beaches, surfing culture and vineyards.

With ambitions of becoming a professional cricketer, Beardman eventually moved to Perth, where he progressed through Western Australia’s cricketing development system. His impressive performances at the junior level soon brought him into the spotlight as one of the country’s promising pace-bowling prospects.

Rapid rise through domestic cricket

Beardman’s journey into senior cricket began at a relatively young age. He made his List A debut for Western Australia in the One-Day Cup in November 2023, when he was only 18.

His progress continued over the following seasons, and he earned an opportunity with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL) in January 2025. The opportunity allowed him to showcase his skills in Australia’s premier domestic T20 competition and gain valuable experience against established international players.

Has already dismissed Steve Smith in the BBL

Beardman demonstrated his ability to trouble experienced batters well before earning his maiden ODI appearance. Representing the Perth Scorchers during the BBL|15 finals, the young speedster produced an outstanding performance in the Qualifier.

He finished with impressive figures of 3/20, with the dismissal of Australian batting superstar Steve Smith standing out as one of the highlights of his spell. The performance further underlined his potential to make an impact at the highest level.

International career began against Pakistan

Although his ODI debut against England attracted considerable attention, Beardman had already represented Australia in international cricket earlier in 2026.

He made his T20 International debut against Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 2026. Bowling in challenging subcontinental conditions, the right-arm pacer showed encouraging composure and picked up two wickets for 33 runs, returning figures of 2/33.

Rewrites 38-year-old Australian record on ODI debut

Beardman produced a dream start to his ODI career against England in Perth. The 21-year-old showcased his pace and accuracy to dismantle the visitors’ batting lineup, finishing with remarkable figures of 6/24 in 7.4 overs as England were dismissed for just 131 runs.

His performance broke a 38-year-old Australian men’s record for the best bowling figures on ODI debut. Beardman surpassed Tony Dodemaide’s previous benchmark of 5/21, which he registered against Sri Lanka in 1988.

The youngster also achieved a significant milestone in the history of international cricket. He became only the second Australian male cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul on his ODI debut. Furthermore, his figures of 6/24 rank as the fourth-best bowling performance by a debutant in men’s ODI cricket.

Also READ: Mahli Beardman makes dream debut as Australia thrash England in Perth ODI

Played a crucial role in Australia’s U19 World Cup triumph

Beardman’s ability to deliver on the biggest occasions was evident even before his senior international breakthrough. He was part of Australia’s victorious campaign at the 2024 ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.

The fast bowler claimed 10 wickets throughout the tournament and saved an exceptional performance for the final against India. He picked up three wickets for just 15 runs, playing a decisive role in Australia’s title-winning victory. His contribution also earned him the Player of the Match award.

With Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood having led Australia’s pace attack for several years, the team will eventually need a new generation of fast bowlers to take responsibility. Beardman’s sensational ODI debut has given Australian selectors another exciting option, and his latest performance suggests that he could have a significant role to play in the country’s fast-bowling future.

Also WATCH: Spencer Johnson pulls off a gravity-defying grab to dismiss Jamie Overton in AUS vs ENG 1st ODI