On a warm evening in Perth, at Optus Stadium, the first one-day international between Australia and England turned early on a young bowler's hands. Mahli Beardman, still new to the format, removed England's captain Harry Brook and the experienced Joe Root within the first few overs, and England were left reeling at 56-5. It is the familiar cricketing story of a fragile start meeting a patient hunter, and a reminder that the first balls of an innings often hold more weight than the batters would like to admit.
Mahli Beardman strikes three times early as Australia rip through England's top order in Perth
On a warm evening in Perth, at Optus Stadium, the first one-day international between Australia and England turned early on a young bowler's hands. Mahli Beardman, still new to the format, removed England's captain Harry Brook and the experienced Joe Root within the first few overs, and England were left reeling at 56-5. It is the familiar cricketing story of a fragile start meeting a patient hunter, and a reminder that the first balls of an innings often hold more weight than the batters would like to admit.
Mahli Beardman had bowled just eight balls in ODI cricket when he removed England captain Harry Brook in the first one-day international in Perth. Brook edged a good-length delivery to Josh Inglis behind the stumps, and England were 42-3. Michael Vaughan, on Test Match Special, called it a huge scalp and praised the young bowler's natural release, adding that a fit Beardman could have an incredible career ahead.
Beardman kept coming. Jordan Cox was rapped on the pad by a pumped-up delivery that tailed down leg, and Joe Root, the visitors' senior batter, was then drawn into a drive at a full ball. The edge found Inglis again, and Root was out for 10, leaving England 55-4. Tom Moody, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, argued it was an even bigger wicket than Brook's.
A single later, Cox fell to a ball angled across off stump that nipped away, and England were 56-5. Off the field, the Australian camp was also in the spotlight, with Pat Cummins dismissing Usman Khawaja's claims about sandpapergate and Vaughan noting the human cost of that old affair.
For England, the immediate task is to rebuild from 56-5. The longer question is whether Brook and the top order can solve their early-innings vulnerability before the next World Cup in South Africa.
Mahli Beardman had been an ODI bowler for eight balls when he removed the England captain. In the first one-day international in Perth, Harry Brook, on 1, was caught on the crease by a good-length ball that nibbled away off the seam. The edge carried through to Josh Inglis behind the stumps, and England were 42-3.
It was a notable first wicket, and Michael Vaughan, speaking on Test Match Special, called it a huge scalp for a debut wicket. He praised Beardman's lovely natural release of the ball and called the dismissal a genuine orthodox snick. If the young bowler stays fit, Vaughan said, he has an incredible career ahead of him.
Beardman was not finished. Jordan Cox came in at five and was rapped on the pad first ball by a pumped-up Beardman. The ball tailed down leg and England took a leg bye. Joe Root then clipped through midwicket for a couple and angled one down to deep third for a single, but the visitors needed their main man to stay and steady the innings.
He did not. Root drove at a full ball on roughly a fifth-stump line, there was a touch of shape away, and the edge again went through to Inglis. Root was out for 10 and England were 55-4. Tom Moody, the former Australia all-rounder, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, argued confidently that it was an even bigger wicket than Brook's. He called Root the best batsman England have produced, with runs in all formats.
A single run later, Beardman had his third. Cox, on 2, faced a ball angled in at off stump that then nipped away off the seam, and the edge came as he tried to defend. England were 56-5. Moody said it was an even better ball than the one that dismissed Root, and that Cox, hesitant between attack and defence, was left in no man's land.
The damage had a wider setting. Xavier Bartlett had bowled seven overs of his opening spell, the seventh costing just three singles, and the BBC commentary wondered whether Mitch Marsh would keep him on despite the heat in Perth.
Brook's numbers made the early loss feel familiar. This year in ODIs he has been dismissed five times in his first 10 balls, averaging 14.4 at a strike rate of 62. Between 11 and 20 balls, he has fallen three times, averaging 20.3. Once past 20 balls, he averages 96.0 at a strike rate of 157, again with five dismissals. He has become one of England's key batters, but that early vulnerability is something he needs to sort out before next year's World Cup in South Africa.
Away from the pitch, Australian cricket had another matter on its mind. Test captain Pat Cummins had said earlier that Usman Khawaja's claims over sandpapergate were utter nonsense and 100% wrong. Vaughan said he took no pleasure in Australian turmoil eight years after the event, noting that human beings are involved and that it would be hard to reach an outcome that satisfied everyone. The BBC commentary doubted Cummins' words would end the matter.
For England, the task in Perth is to rebuild from 56-5. The longer-term question is whether the top order can sort out its early-innings problems before the World Cup.
Quieres la nota completa?
Lee el original en BBC ↗