Beardman takes six on debut as England crash to 131
PERTH: Australia’s Mahli Beardman took 6-24 on debut as England crashed to 131 all out from just 33.4 overs in the first ODI in Perth on Friday. The 21-year-old West Australian bowled with real pace and aggression to tear through the England upper order, most of whom fell to poor shots. He was well supported by left-armer Spencer Johnson, who took 3-42 as England fell apart on the drop-in wicket…
Perth witnessed England's dismal debut as Australia's Mahli Beardman claimed 6-24 on his ODI debut. The young West Australian bowler's impressive pace and aggression proved too much for England's upper order, with most players falling victim to poor shots. Supported by left-armer Spencer Johnson, who took 3-42, England's total collapsed to 131 all out from just 33.4 overs.
The three-match ODI series began under the shadow of the Sandpapergate ball-tampering scandal surrounding former Australian opener Usman Khawaja's autobiography. Despite Ben Duckett and Tom Banton's relative ease in getting the score to 24 off five overs, England's batting unit struggled to adapt to the seam and swing from Beardman and Johnson.
England found themselves 65-8 before a partnership from Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson staved off complete humiliation. Duckett was caught first ball after the interval for 24, while Archer became Beardman's second wicket. Atkinson emerged as the third-highest scorer with 29 not out off 32 balls.
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