PERTH, Australia, November 13, 2026: England’s return to Australia brought another batting collapse, another heavy defeat and another uncomfortable reminder that the problems exposed during last year’s Ashes humiliation remain unresolved. Mahli Beardman took a remarkable 6/24 on his One-Day International debut as England were dismissed for 131 in 33.4 overs, before Mitchell Marsh struck a 30-ball half-century to power Australia to a seven-wicket victory with 159 deliveries remaining in the opening ODI at Perth Stadium.
England’s struggles in Australia have now extended beyond one disastrous Test tour. The visitors lost the 2025–26 Ashes 4–1 after a two-day collapse in Perth, struggled against spin during October’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan, and have now surrendered eight wickets for just 27 runs against an Australian attack missing Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. The most worrying aspect is not simply that England lost again. It is that the technical and tactical failures behind the defeat were painfully familiar, despite changes in personnel, format and opposition bowlers.
Key Takeaways
- Australia defeated England by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
- Mahli Beardman returned 6/24 from 7.4 overs, setting a new Australian record for bowling figures on ODI debut.
- England collapsed from 38/2 to 65/8, losing six wickets for 27 runs during the decisive phase.
- Mitchell Marsh scored 50 from 30 balls, striking four fours and four sixes.
- Australia completed its chase in 23.3 overs, despite losing Travis Head for a first-ball duck.
- England’s next opportunity comes in Adelaide, where another defeat would surrender the three-match series.
Australia vs England 1st ODI: Scorecard and Match Summary
| Match Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Australia vs England, 1st ODI |
| Venue | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| Date | November 13, 2026 |
| Toss | Australia elected to field |
| England innings | 131 all out, 33.4 overs |
| Australia innings | 132/3, 23.3 overs |
| Result | Australia won by seven wickets |
| Deliveries remaining | 159 |
| Best bowling | Mahli Beardman, 6/24 |
| Leading Australian batter | Mitchell Marsh, 50 from 30 balls |
| Leading England batter | Gus Atkinson, 29 not out |
| Series standing | Australia lead 1-0 |
The margin reflects Australia’s control of the contest after Beardman dismantled England’s middle order.
England used only 202 deliveries of its available 300, while Australia required just 141 balls to reach the target.
Story at a glance
Australia vs England 1st ODI: Scorecard and Match Summary
The margin reflects Australia’s control of the contest after Beardman dismantled England’s middle order.
Beardman’s Six Wickets Turn England’s Promising Start Into Disaster
England had reason to believe it could establish a competitive first-innings total after Australia captain Mitchell Marsh chose to bowl.
Mahli Beardman Breaks a 38-Year Australian ODI Debut Record
Beardman’s 6/24 established the best bowling figures by an Australian player making his ODI debut.
Marsh’s Half-Century Denies England Any Chance of Recovery
Australia’s chase began with a setback.
Why England’s Struggles in Australia Are Far From Over
The Perth defeat becomes more troubling when viewed against England’s previous visit.
That meant the match ended with a combined 257 deliveries unused across the two innings.
The statistic is unusual but revealing. England failed to survive long enough to use its full batting allocation, and Australia required less than half its allotted overs to finish the chase.
The official Cricket Australia match coverage documents the toss, playing combinations and key developments during the contest.
Beardman’s Six Wickets Turn England’s Promising Start Into Disaster
England had reason to believe it could establish a competitive first-innings total after Australia captain Mitchell Marsh chose to bowl.
Tom Banton looked positive from the beginning, striking five boundaries during his 25 from 27 deliveries.
Ben Duckett contributed nine before Spencer Johnson made the first breakthrough, having the opener caught by Jack Edwards with England on 24.
Xavier Bartlett then removed Banton at 38/2.
At that point, England still had enough established batting resources to recover.
Joe Root was at the crease, Harry Brook had arrived, and the visitors retained substantial depth through Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Liam Dawson.
But the introduction of Beardman changed the contest.
The 21-year-old Western Australian fast bowler generated pace and movement, repeatedly asking England’s batters to make decisions outside off stump.
Brook became his first ODI victim, edging behind to Josh Inglis for one.
Root followed for 17 from 36 deliveries, also caught by Inglis.
Those dismissals removed England’s most experienced specialist batter and its captain before either could establish a substantial partnership.
Beardman then dismissed Cox for two, Curran for a seven-ball duck and Dawson for another duck.
He was briefly on a hat-trick after removing Cox and Curran with consecutive legal deliveries.
England had fallen to 60/7 after 17.4 overs.
Johnson added to the damage by catching Jamie Overton off his own bowling for four, leaving the visitors 65/8 before the completion of the 19th over.
England’s lower order delayed the inevitable.
Jacks contributed 25 from 47 balls before Johnson dismissed him, while Atkinson counterattacked with an unbeaten 29 from 32 deliveries.
Atkinson and Archer added 29 runs for the final wicket, but Beardman ended the innings when Edwards caught Archer for 11.
England were all out for 131.
How England Lost Six Wickets for 27 Runs
| Score | Batter Dismissed | Bowler | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38/2 | Tom Banton, 25 | Xavier Bartlett | 8.6 |
| 42/3 | Harry Brook, 1 | Mahli Beardman | 11.2 |
| 55/4 | Joe Root, 17 | Mahli Beardman | 13.6 |
| 56/5 | Jordan Cox, 2 | Mahli Beardman | 15.1 |
| 58/6 | Sam Curran, 0 | Mahli Beardman | 15.6 |
| 60/7 | Liam Dawson, 0 | Mahli Beardman | 17.4 |
| 65/8 | Jamie Overton, 4 | Spencer Johnson | 18.6 |
From 38/2 to 65/8, England lost six wickets for 27 runs across ten overs.
The collapse was particularly damaging because it eliminated the possibility of a conventional ODI recovery through the middle overs.
Instead of managing the innings toward 40 overs and preparing a final acceleration, England found itself trying to avoid one of its lowest totals against Australia.
The visitors eventually added 66 runs after losing their eighth wicket, meaning the last two wickets contributed more runs than the six dismissals between 38/2 and 65/8.
That contrast should alarm England’s coaching staff.
Atkinson’s late resistance showed that scoring opportunities remained available. The problem was that too many established batters had already been dismissed attempting to negotiate Beardman’s spell.
Mahli Beardman Breaks a 38-Year Australian ODI Debut Record
Beardman’s 6/24 established the best bowling figures by an Australian player making his ODI debut.
He surpassed Tony Dodemaide’s 5/21 against Sri Lanka at the WACA Ground in 1988.
The performance also ranks among the finest ODI debuts by a bowler from any country.
| Bowler | Country | Debut Figures | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Cassell | Scotland | 7/21 | Oman |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 6/16 | Bangladesh |
| Fidel Edwards | West Indies | 6/22 | Zimbabwe |
| Mahli Beardman | Australia | 6/24 | England |
Beardman conceded just 24 runs from 46 deliveries, producing an economy rate of approximately 3.13 runs per over.
His six wickets accounted for 60% of England’s dismissals and removed the most important batting resources in the middle order.
He also became another example of Australia’s ability to identify and develop fast-bowling talent while established internationals are unavailable.
Beardman had been part of Australia’s 2024 Under-19 World Cup-winning team and arrived with experience of representing Western Australia.
However, his first ODI presented a considerably greater test than domestic cricket.
He responded by dismissing Brook, Root, Cox, Curran, Dawson and Archer.
The achievement was foreshadowed in The Sports Encounter’s analysis of Australia’s ODI and T20I selections, which identified Beardman as an emerging fast bowler receiving an opportunity during the absence of Australia’s senior attack.
One performance does not establish that he is ready to displace Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood.
But it does demonstrate the strength of Australia’s bowling succession plans and gives selectors another credible option for the 2027 World Cup.
Marsh’s Half-Century Denies England Any Chance of Recovery
Australia’s chase began with a setback.
Travis Head was bowled for a first-ball duck by Gus Atkinson, leaving the hosts 6/1.
England might have hoped that the early wicket would create pressure against a batting lineup requiring only 132 for victory.
Marsh quickly removed that possibility.
The Australian captain attacked from the opening overs, finding boundaries against Jofra Archer and Atkinson while establishing a rapid second-wicket partnership with Cooper Connolly.
Marsh reached his half-century from 29 deliveries and eventually fell for 50 from 30 balls.
He struck four fours and four sixes, scoring 40 of his 50 runs in boundaries.
His partnership with Connolly moved Australia from 6/1 to 67/2 in just 7.2 overs.
That stand fundamentally changed the chase.
England required early breakthroughs to keep the required total competitive. Instead, Marsh and Connolly reduced the target before the bowlers could establish a sustained period of pressure.
Jamie Overton eventually dismissed Marsh, with Duckett completing the catch.
Connolly made 27 from 30 deliveries before Archer removed him at 89/3.
Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw then completed the remaining work without further loss.
Inglis finished unbeaten on 23 from 42 deliveries, while Renshaw scored 26 not out from 38.
Australia reached 132/3 in 23.3 overs.
The difference in approach was stark.
England tried to recover from frequent dismissals. Australia lost an early wicket, counterattacked immediately and then settled into a controlled finish.
Marsh’s innings showed that aggressive batting can remain effective when it is supported by clear decision-making and partnerships.
Why England’s Struggles in Australia Are Far From Over
The Perth defeat becomes more troubling when viewed against England’s previous visit.
In November 2025, England arrived for the Ashes believing it possessed an attacking team capable of challenging Australia.
The opening Test at Perth ended in a humiliating defeat inside two days.
England were dismissed for 172 and 164, despite establishing a first-innings lead.
Australia’s Travis Head then scored 123 as the hosts chased 205 to win by eight wickets.
The series never fully recovered from that opening defeat.
Australia won the next two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide to secure the Ashes, eventually completing a 4-1 series victory in Sydney.
England’s only Test victory came in Melbourne.
The England and Wales Cricket Board’s official Ashes archive confirms Australia’s 4-1 victory and the results across the five Tests.
Friday’s ODI is a different format, played by a different combination of players, and should not be presented as a direct continuation of the same Test innings.
However, the underlying batting pattern is unmistakably similar.
England have repeatedly struggled to negotiate periods when Australian fast bowlers maintain disciplined lines and lengths, especially outside off stump.
Some batters have responded by playing attacking shots before establishing control of the conditions.
Others have attempted to survive without sufficiently disrupting the bowlers’ rhythm.
The result has frequently been a sequence of wickets that leaves too much recovery work for the lower order.
England’s Struggles in Australia Across the Two Perth Openers
| Measure | Ashes Opener, 2025 | ODI Opener, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Perth Stadium | Perth Stadium |
| Format | Test | ODI |
| England batting | 172 and 164 | 131 |
| Defining Australian bowler | Mitchell Starc, 7/58 in first innings | Mahli Beardman, 6/24 |
| Decisive Australian batting | Travis Head, 123 | Mitchell Marsh, 50 |
| Result | Australia won by eight wickets | Australia won by seven wickets |
| Length of contest | Two days | Australia finished chase in 23.3 overs |
The comparison does not mean England played identical cricket in both matches.
In the Ashes, Australia recovered from conceding a first-innings lead. In the ODI, the hosts dominated after England lost early wickets.
What connects the performances is England’s inability to protect a promising position when Australian pace created pressure.
The previous Ashes also demonstrated that this is not a problem confined to Perth.
England lost heavily in Brisbane and Adelaide and again failed to convert substantial individual performances into a successful tour.
The Melbourne victory proved that England could still beat Australia away from home. It did not overturn the broader pattern of Australian dominance.
England’s Familiar Collapse Has Survived Changes in Format and Opposition
England’s recent difficulties are not restricted to playing in Australia.
During October’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan, Brook’s team repeatedly struggled to finish matches from promising positions.
Against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, England reached 91 without loss while chasing 303.
That strong opening position deteriorated into a collapse against Arafat Minhas, whose six wickets for 40 runs helped Pakistan win by 87 runs.
Minhas’ performance was examined in TSE’s detailed analysis of England’s Rawalpindi collapse.
Two days later, England’s batting produced a historic performance.
Brook scored 202 from 116 balls, leading his team to 429/4 against Sri Lanka.
But England still lost when Sri Lanka chased 430 with one delivery remaining.
That extraordinary reversal, including the bowling and captaincy decisions behind the failed defense, was analyzed in TSE’s report on Sri Lanka’s record-breaking chase.
England subsequently lost to Pakistan by one wicket in Lahore after failing to dismiss the final pair of Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf.
Shadab’s unbeaten 113 rescued Pakistan from 154/9, with the tenth-wicket partnership adding 89 runs.
The failure to complete that victory was documented in TSE’s account of Pakistan’s one-wicket escape.
These three defeats involved very different match situations.
Against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, England’s batting failed after a strong opening.
Against Sri Lanka, the team scored 429 but could not defend the total.
Against Pakistan in Lahore, England could not finish an opponent that had lost nine wickets.
In Perth, the batting collapsed before reaching the middle overs.
The common weakness is England’s inability to sustain its advantage or respond effectively when momentum changes.
Why Australia’s Second-String Attack Makes the Defeat Worse
One of the most concerning aspects of the Perth defeat was the absence of Australia’s established Test fast bowlers.
Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood were all rested as Australia managed workloads ahead of its upcoming Test commitments.
The absence of those three bowlers should have created an opportunity for England to place greater pressure on a relatively inexperienced attack.
Instead, Beardman recorded six wickets on debut.
Johnson added three wickets for 42 runs, while Bartlett dismissed Banton and helped restrict England’s early scoring.
Australia did not even require an extensive spell from leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who finished with 0/7 from three overs.
Jack Edwards also contributed three catches, demonstrating how effective fielding supported Australia’s wicket-taking strategy.
The ICC’s official analysis of Australia’s squad selection confirms the absence of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood and explains how the series gives emerging players opportunities.
England cannot reasonably argue that it was overwhelmed by Australia’s full-strength pace attack.
It was dismantled by a combination of emerging and developing international bowlers.
That creates a significant concern ahead of the World Cup.
If England cannot maintain partnerships against Australia without its three most established fast bowlers, the team must demonstrate substantial improvement before facing the strongest attacks in a global tournament.
Australia’s bowling depth has also been strengthened by a clear development pathway.
Beardman arrives with Under-19 World Cup experience and domestic exposure, while Johnson and Bartlett have already gained opportunities at international level.
Australia’s depth will not be equally effective in every match. But this result provides compelling evidence of the resources available when senior players are rested.
England’s Problem Is Not Aggression, but the Absence of a Second Plan
It would be inaccurate to conclude that England should abandon aggressive white-ball cricket.
Brook’s double century against Sri Lanka showed how effective attacking intent can be when supported by partnerships and a clear batting structure.
Duckett’s 167 against Sri Lanka later in the same tournament demonstrated that the side can produce substantial innings without depending on one player.
The difficulty arises when aggressive batting becomes the only response to pressure.
At Perth, Root was dismissed for 17 from 36 deliveries, Brook scored one from four, and Cox, Curran and Dawson contributed only two runs between them.
The lack of partnerships was more damaging than the individual strike rates.
When Beardman established a threatening line outside off stump, England did not sufficiently adapt its approach to reduce the number of dismissals.
Against high-quality pace bowling, a controlled period of survival can be valuable if it preserves enough wickets for later acceleration.
England’s approach failed to provide that flexibility.
A successful alternative would have involved leaving more deliveries outside off stump, accepting lower scoring rates during Beardman’s most threatening spell and building at least one stabilizing partnership.
Those adjustments do not require abandoning attacking cricket.
They require identifying when attacking opportunities are sufficiently favorable and when the match situation demands greater restraint.
England’s recent ODI results were examined in TSE’s broader analysis of the Pakistan tri-series and the tactical value of 50-over cricket.
The length of an ODI innings provides time to recover from difficult passages. England have repeatedly failed to use that time effectively.
What the Numbers Reveal About England’s Batting Failure
England’s 131 was not simply the product of one exceptional bowling performance.
The scorecard shows how little support the specialist batting order provided once the early wickets fell.
| Batting Group | Runs | Share of Team Total |
|---|---|---|
| Top four: Duckett, Banton, Root, Brook | 52 | 39.7% |
| Middle four: Cox, Curran, Jacks, Dawson | 27 | 20.6% |
| Last three: Overton, Atkinson, Archer | 44 | 33.6% |
| Extras | 8 | 6.1% |
| Total | 131 | 100% |
The last three batters contributed 44 runs, exceeding the combined output of Cox, Curran, Jacks and Dawson by 17.
That comparison requires context because Jacks faced 47 deliveries and attempted to rebuild after the collapse.
Nevertheless, the distribution of runs demonstrates why England’s total remained so low.
Eight of the eleven batters failed to reach 20, while the leading scorer was Atkinson at No. 10.
The top four contributed only 52 runs despite containing England’s captain and its most experienced ODI batter.
For Australia, the corresponding comparison was much more favorable.
Marsh’s 50 came at a strike rate of 166.67, and Connolly supported him with 27 from 30 balls.
That partnership gave the hosts enough momentum to complete the chase comfortably even after Marsh’s dismissal.
The broader history of the format, including the importance of partnerships and changes in batting strategy, is explored in The Sports Encounter’s collection celebrating 5,000 men’s ODIs.
Can Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum Fix the Problem?
England captain Harry Brook faces a difficult challenge because his own performances demonstrate both the strengths and weaknesses of the team’s approach.
He scored 202 against Sri Lanka in October, proving that he can dominate an international attack.
But his dismissal for one in Perth left England exposed during the most dangerous phase of its innings.
Brook does not need to become a defensive batter.
He needs to make more reliable decisions about when to attack, particularly when arriving at the crease following early wickets.
Brendon McCullum faces a related problem as England’s white-ball coach.
His attacking philosophy has encouraged positive intent, but the recent sequence of collapses raises questions about whether enough emphasis is being placed on adapting to specific match situations.
Both men have the opportunity to correct the approach during the remaining ODIs.
Adelaide will require more than a change in team selection or a motivational response.
England must produce evidence of improved batting judgment, more consistent partnerships and an ability to survive the difficult phases of an innings.
Those were among the concerns identified in TSE’s Australia-England ODI series preview, published before the Perth match.
Friday’s result has made those concerns more urgent.
Australia Turn a Turbulent Week Into a Statement of Cricketing Depth
Australia entered the series amid renewed controversy surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Usman Khawaja’s autobiography Sabr revived disputed allegations about the extent of knowledge within the Australian team, while Pat Cummins publicly denied involvement in a wider scheme.
Cricket Australia has resisted calls to reopen its original investigation.
Those developments have generated considerable attention and questions about Australian cricket’s institutional accountability.
The controversy has been examined in TSE’s independent analysis of the renewed Sandpapergate allegations.
However, the players selected for Friday’s ODI produced a performance that was convincing on sporting grounds.
Marsh captained an attack containing an ODI debutant and several bowlers seeking to establish permanent international roles.
Beardman produced the defining spell, while Johnson and Bartlett supported him.
The batting lineup then completed the chase without needing substantial contributions from Cameron Green or the lower order.
The result suggests Australia possesses enough depth to remain competitive while managing its senior players’ workloads.
That depth is especially relevant as selectors plan for the 2027 World Cup.
It also demonstrates why Australian cricket’s planning must account for the development of younger players rather than relying exclusively on established stars.
The importance of that transition was explored in TSE’s analysis of Mike Hussey’s return to Australia’s coaching setup.
Hussey presented Beardman with his ODI cap before the match, giving the young bowler’s record-breaking performance an additional connection to Australia’s established cricketing generation.
Adelaide Is Already a Must-Win Match for England
Australia lead the three-match ODI series 1-0, meaning England must win both remaining fixtures to claim the series.
The second ODI takes place in Adelaide on November 15, followed by the third match in Hobart on November 18.
| Match | Date | Venue | Series Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 13 | Perth | Australia won by seven wickets |
| 2nd ODI | November 15 | Adelaide Oval | England must win to keep series alive |
| 3rd ODI | November 18 | Bellerive Oval, Hobart | Potential series decider if England win in Adelaide |
Australia can secure the series by winning in Adelaide.
England can restore competitive balance by winning there and forcing a decisive third ODI.
But the next result will matter less in isolation than the manner in which England approach the contest.
A narrow victory produced through another individual rescue would provide relief without necessarily resolving the recurring batting problem.
A more convincing improvement would involve building partnerships, surviving threatening bowling spells and maintaining enough wickets to accelerate during the final 15 overs.
That should be the immediate objective for Brook and McCullum.
Continue the The Ashes Story
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Australia vs England first ODI?
Australia won by seven wickets in Perth, chasing England’s target of 132 in 23.3 overs with 159 deliveries remaining.
What were Mahli Beardman’s bowling figures?
Beardman took six wickets for 24 runs from 7.4 overs on his ODI debut, setting a new Australian record.
How many runs did England score?
England were dismissed for 131 in 33.4 overs. Gus Atkinson top-scored with an unbeaten 29.
Who scored the most runs for Australia?
Mitchell Marsh scored 50 from 30 balls, including four fours and four sixes.
Why did England’s middle order collapse?
Beardman repeatedly found opportunities outside off stump, removing Brook, Root, Cox, Curran and Dawson during the decisive passage. England lost six wickets for 27 runs between 38/2 and 65/8.
How did England perform during the previous Ashes tour?
England lost the 2025–26 Ashes 4-1. Australia won the opening Perth Test inside two days and completed the series victory in Sydney.
When is the next Australia vs England ODI?
The second ODI is scheduled for November 15 at Adelaide Oval. England must win to prevent Australia from securing the three-match series.
What does the Perth result mean for the 2027 World Cup?
Australia have strengthened the case for their emerging fast-bowling depth. England face renewed concerns about batting consistency, adaptability and the ability to build partnerships against quality bowling.
What England Must Change Before Their Australian Problems Become a World Cup Crisis
England’s defeats in Australia have involved different captains, coaches, players and formats.
Yet the recurring problem remains remarkably consistent.
When the opposition creates a sustained period of pressure, England too often responds with a succession of dismissals instead of the partnerships required to recover.
The 2025–26 Ashes defeat demonstrated how costly those failures can become across a five-match Test series.
October’s ODI tri-series in Pakistan showed that the problem also exists against spin and in situations where England are defending strong totals.
Friday’s opening ODI in Perth brought the concern back into focus against pace.
Beardman’s six-wicket debut was an exceptional performance deserving recognition in its own right. But England contributed to the scale of the defeat by failing to adjust once he began dismantling the batting order.
Australia did not need Cummins, Starc or Hazlewood to expose those weaknesses.
It needed a promising young fast bowler, disciplined supporting spells and enough batting aggression to complete a straightforward chase.
England’s struggles in Australia will not be resolved by one change in selection or a few promising innings from Brook and Duckett. They require a more reliable understanding of when to attack, when to absorb pressure and how to prevent one dismissal from becoming six.
Adelaide gives England an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that progress.
Another collapse would do more than surrender the ODI series. It would strengthen the argument that the failures exposed during the Ashes remain embedded in England’s cricketing approach, with the next World Cup approaching and little evidence that the necessary lessons have been learned.
