The young quick who won a World Cup final
Beardman's job in BBL|16 is to keep doing what he did last season: bowl fast, take wickets, and show why he is talked about as a future leader of Australia's pace attack. He took 13 wickets in BBL|15, helping the Scorchers to their sixth title, and he did it bowling at speeds over 140 kilometres per hour.
His breakthrough season was followed by an international debut — 2 for 33 on T20I debut against Pakistan in January 2026 — and then by a setback: a season-ending back injury, diagnosed as lumbar bone stress, that kept him out for seven months. He returned to the field in October 2026, playing for Australia A against India A in Puducherry, and he is now fit for BBL|16. The Scorchers have managed him carefully throughout his young career, taking inspiration from Pat Cummins, who also had a disjointed start to his international career because of injury.
Squad note: the Scorchers have announced 15 players so far, as of 31 October 2026. The full squad has not been announced — clubs can carry up to 18 players and are still adding names — so this page will be updated as the club confirms more signings.
Three for 15 in a World Cup final
Beardman's name was made at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where he took 10 wickets at 10.50 from six appearances and was named player of the match in the final after taking 3 for 15 from seven overs against India — including the wickets of captain Uday Saharan and Musheer Khan — as Australia won by 79 runs.
The step up to senior cricket came quickly after that. He made his List A debut for Western Australia against New South Wales in November 2023, signed a two-year BBL deal with the Scorchers, and made his BBL debut against Sydney Thunder on 13 January 2025. He was named as a reserve for the senior Australian squad in September 2024 and called up to the T20I squad for India in October 2025. He is six foot two, he swings the new ball, and he is mentored by Dennis Lillee, who also mentored Mitchell Johnson.
Where he fits in the Scorchers
The Scorchers' pace attack is the best in the league, and Beardman is its youngest member — and its future. Richardson is the spearhead, Morris is the wild thing, Paris is the left-armer, and Beardman is the quick who bowls at 140kph and swings the new ball both ways.
His role in BBL|16 is to build on his 13-wicket title season and show that his back injury is behind him. The club has managed his workload carefully, and his return for Australia A in India — where he is expected to play in the BBL|16 season opener in Chennai — says he is ready. If he stays fit, he is the bowler most likely to take the most wickets for the champions this season.
The BBL Points Table will carry the standings once the season starts — the Scorchers topped the table last season with 14 points, and the defence of that position starts in Chennai.
What’s next
Mahli Beardman starts BBL|16 in Chennai on 12 December, against the Renegades — the Under-19 World Cup hero in Scorchers colours for the first time this season.
The full list of every BBL fixture is on the BBL Schedule, with the Chennai opener first.
- Match 1 — vs Melbourne Renegades: Sat 12 Dec, 2:40 PM IST · Chennai
- Match 7 — vs Hobart Hurricanes: Sun 20 Dec, 1:45 PM IST · Perth Stadium
- Match 13 — vs Melbourne Stars: Sat 26 Dec, 3:45 PM IST · Perth Stadium
- vs Adelaide Strikers: Sat 16 Jan · away
Follow every Scorchers result as it happens on SialTV, with the points table updated after every match day.
Frequently asked questions
What did Mahli Beardman do in the Under-19 World Cup final?
He was named player of the match after taking 3 for 15 from seven overs against India in the 2024 final, as Australia won by 79 runs. He took 10 wickets at 10.50 in the tournament.
When did Mahli Beardman debut for Australia?
He made his T20 international debut against Pakistan in January 2026, taking 2 for 33. He missed seven months after that with a back injury before returning in October 2026.
When does Mahli Beardman play his first match for Perth Scorchers?
His first match is Match 1 against Melbourne Renegades on Saturday 12 December 2026, starting at 2:40 PM IST at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — the first BBL match ever played outside Australia.