Mahli Beardman credits Starc, Cummins for growth

Mahli Beardman is rebuilding his career after a season-ending back injury forced him out of action following his T20 international debut against Pakistan in January. The young fast bowler suffered a lumbar bone stress injury diagnosed after the match in Lahore, which cut short his early international campaign. Now, three matches into his return, Beardman is drawing on the experience of Australia’s senior pace bowlers to accelerate his development.

Beardman took 4 wickets for 23 runs in Australia A’s recent 50-over match against India A in Puducherry, claiming three of those wickets from his first 12 balls. Australia A won the encounter by 125 runs, with opener Steve McSweeney scoring 123 while India A managed 149 in reply. The performance marked a significant step forward in Beardman’s recovery and reintegration into competitive cricket.

“I try and be as much of a sponge as possible and soak up as much knowledge as I can,” Beardman said as quoted by The Hindu.

“We’ve got a rich history of fast bowling in Western Australia (WA), where I come from. I grew up watching Mitchell Johnson. I was lucky enough to be coached by Dennis Lillee. That’s something that has been passed down,” he added.

Learning from senior pace bowlers

Beardman’s Western Australian heritage connects him to a lineage of pace bowling excellence that has shaped his approach to the game. The young bowler has benefited from mentorship within that tradition and continues to draw on it as he works with Australia’s established fast bowlers at the national level.

Beardman has worked closely with Australia’s senior pace bowlers, including Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have provided technical guidance and strategic insights during his recovery phase. Their experience and maturity in international cricket have offered him a valuable perspective on managing his comeback and developing as a fast bowler.

“They’ve been awesome from a technical aspect. Being so mature and having played so much cricket, they’ve got a really simple outlook on the game,” Beardman said.

Beardman’s ball speed has returned to over 140 kilometres per hour in the nets, indicating his physical recovery is progressing well. His performance in Puducherry, taking 4-23 in his third match back, demonstrated that his skills remained sharp despite the injury layoff. The three-match series between Australia A and India A provided Beardman with crucial game time as he continued his path back to full fitness and international selection.

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