Australia’s rising fast bowler Mahli Beardman is determined to make up for lost time as he targets an ODI debut against England, while keeping his long-term Test ambitions firmly in sight.
At just 21, Mahli Beardman is already being talked about as one of Australia’s most promising fast-bowling prospects. But after another frustrating injury setback, the Western Australian quick is in no hurry to get ahead of himself.
For now, his focus is simple: stay healthy, play competitive cricket and make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
Beardman is preparing to represent Western Australia against England at the WACA on Saturday, November 7, in a one-day match that could provide an important opportunity to impress Australia’s national selectors.
With Australia set to begin their ODI series against England at Perth’s Optus Stadium on November 13, Beardman hopes he might get the chance to make his debut in front of his home crowd.
“The selection is well above my head, so if that opportunity arrives, I’ll try and grab it with both hands,” Beardman told reporters on Thursday.
“I feel like I’m ready to go out and play some good cricket again.”
A Promising Career Interrupted by Injury
Beardman’s rapid rise has attracted plenty of attention, particularly because of his ability to generate serious pace and trouble established international batters.
One of his standout moments came during last season’s Big Bash League finals, when he went head-to-head with Australian batting star Steve Smith and eventually won their individual battle.
His performances helped strengthen his reputation as a potential future international star.
Beardman has spent time around Australia’s national squads over the past two years and made his international debut in a T20I against Pakistan earlier in 2026.
He made an immediate impression, dismissing Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in consecutive deliveries during the closing stages of the innings.
He finished with figures of 2 for 33 from four overs, offering a glimpse of what he could bring to Australia’s pace attack.
However, the excitement was short-lived.
A recurrence of a stress fracture in his lower back forced him out of action and ended his season just as he was beginning to build momentum.
The setback also denied him further international opportunities and delayed his anticipated Sheffield Shield debut.
“The timing of it was pretty rough,” Beardman admitted, reflecting on an injury that arrived when he felt his bowling was coming together.
Rather than rushing his recovery, the young quick spent around four to five months rebuilding his strength in the gym.
The experience has also taught him the importance of understanding his body and managing the physical demands of fast bowling.
Test Cricket Remains the Ultimate Goal
With several of Australia’s established Test fast bowlers approaching the later stages of their careers, Beardman’s name has increasingly appeared in conversations about the country’s next generation of pace talent.
But the youngster knows there is still a long road ahead.
Despite the growing expectations, he has yet to make his first-class debut, and there is currently no confirmed date for his first Sheffield Shield appearance.
For Beardman, the priority is proving he can remain fit and handle the workload before taking the next step.
Red-ball cricket remains an important part of his ambitions, but he is approaching that challenge carefully.
“It’s just prioritising getting back, playing cricket first, proving my fitness and that my body can handle it,” he explained.
Rather than setting a deadline for his Shield debut, Beardman wants to assess his progress after each match, ensuring he is recovering properly without experiencing soreness or recurring symptoms.
It is a cautious approach, but one that could prove important for a young fast bowler whose career has already been interrupted by injury.
Raw Pace and Growing Confidence
Beardman has shown encouraging signs since returning to competitive cricket, even though his performances have been somewhat inconsistent.
During Australia A’s recent tour against India A, he produced an impressive display of fast bowling, troubling the opposition’s top order with his pace and movement.
Capable of regularly reaching speeds in the mid-140s kph, Beardman combines his natural speed with the ability to swing the new ball and deliver an aggressive bouncer.
And he believes he can still bowl faster.
“I think the goal is as high as I can go,” Beardman said when asked about his pace.
“I don’t think there’s a number. I still feel like I’ve got a decent way to go.”
While his attacking ability has already caught the eye, Beardman is also working on becoming a more complete fast bowler.
He has been developing the defensive side of his game, particularly for situations in limited-overs cricket when batters are attacking and bowlers need to adjust their plans quickly.
The young quick understands that raw pace alone will not guarantee success at the highest level.
Learning how to respond under pressure, control scoring opportunities and adapt to different match situations will be equally important.
Learning From Dennis Lillee
Beardman’s development has also benefited from the guidance of Australian fast-bowling legend Dennis Lillee, who has mentored him for several years.
That experience has provided the youngster with valuable insight into the demands of professional fast bowling as he works toward establishing himself at the highest level.
His immediate challenge, however, is against England.
Western Australia’s upcoming one-day fixture at the WACA will give Beardman an early opportunity to test himself against international opposition ahead of Australia’s ODI series.
The match is expected to attract a crowd of around 4,500 at the revamped WACA, creating an exciting atmosphere for the young local fast bowler.
Beardman also sees the contest as an opportunity to study England’s top-order batters and potentially share useful information with Australia’s national squad.
“I think it’s just an awesome hit out,” he said.
“It’s a great chance to really get some insight into their top order and how they play.”
A Big Opportunity Ahead
For Beardman, the coming weeks could represent an important step in a career that has already generated considerable excitement.
A strong performance against England could strengthen his case for selection in Australia’s ODI squad, particularly with the series opener taking place in Perth.
But whether an international opportunity arrives immediately or further down the road, Beardman appears determined not to rush the process.
After months spent recovering from injury, simply being back on the field is a significant achievement.
His Test ambitions remain alive, his pace continues to excite, and his potential is clear.
Now comes the challenge of turning that promise into consistent performances.
For one of Australia’s most exciting young fast bowlers, the next chapter is about staying fit, building confidence and letting his cricket do the talking.
