Langer: Beardman exactly what “Australian cricket needed”

Debutant Mahli Beardman stole the show in the first game of the ODI series against England with a scintillating 46-ball display.

Within those 46 balls, Beardman took six back-breaking wickets that tore the heart out of the English batting line-up while conceding just 24 runs.

Tom Morris called the moment the youngster took his sixth pole and surmised how impressive the spell was.

“Mahli Beardman becomes the fifth player in one day international history to pick up six wickets on debut,” Morris said on SEN Cricket.

“What a remarkable feat for a 21-year-old who has never played a first-class game but has now announced himself on the international stage.

“Remember that name, Mahli Beardman.”

Gerard Whateley and Justin Langer discussed Beardman’s impact in the innings break.

Whateley: “He didn't show any nerves, he opened with a maiden and then took wickets in his second, third, fourth and fifth overs.

“He had five by then after 4.4 overs, which puts him on the podium for fastest of five wickets in ODI cricket, and then rounded out in his eighth over with his sixth wicket.

“Justin Langer, what did we just see?”

Langer: “What a performance.

“I called him a dude before; he's a terrific young bloke. What a brilliant performance, he's such a likable person, you can see Australians falling in love with him.

“Frankly, it's the breath of fresh air we needed today to see a young player like that come out with a smile on his face, you know, the surfer who loves fishing and boy from the country, come out and bowl like the wind against the poms. That's exactly what Australian cricket needed today.”

Whateley: “They were good wickets too, weren't they?

“Not just the personnel, Brook, Root, Cox, Curran, Dawson, and then at the end, Archer, but he nicked the first four off into the gloves of (Josh) Inglis.

“He still has only played at the (Perth) Scorchers, he hasn't played a first-class game yet.

“I watched him play the semi-final and the final last year in the Big Bash, and he's learned quickly that you bowl that fuller length with a fast bouncer, which he has, then you're going to be rewarded, and he was certainly rewarded today.

He bowled fast, he's lean, he's a beautiful athlete, incredible fielder, and he has just had the, the dream Cinderella debut.”

With two ODI’s and five T20’s to come against England, Beardman has the chance to stamp his claim to a spot long-term in this white-ball set-up.