![Mahli Beardman now has best figures for Australia on ODI debut [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794552958980_MahliBeardmanListicle.jpg?type=hq)
Mahli Beardman now has best figures for Australia on ODI debut [Source: AFP]
Australian cricket has long been renowned for its rich bowling reserves, producing generations of fast bowlers and crafty spinners who have shaped the game across eras. From fiery pace attacks to disciplined spin options, the country has consistently unearthed talented bowlers and some of the greatest the game has ever seen.
For emerging bowlers, making an impression early in their international careers is particularly significant in Australia, where competition for a place in the national playing XI is fierce and competitive. Here, we take a look at some Australian bowlers who have made a memorable impression with the best bowling figures on their first ODI appearance.
5. Carl Rackemann: 4-39 vs New Zealand, 1983
Former Australia fast bowler Carl Rackemann started off his ODI career with the opening match of the 1983 Benson & Hedges World Series Cup. Taking on Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at the MCG, the speedster unfurled the spell of the Australian bowling innings with exceptional figures of 4-39 from his 10 overs.
His spell helped Australia skittle New Zealand for just 181 in 44.5 overs, before cunning 70s from John Dyson and fellow debutant Kepler Wessels steered the hosts to a comfortable win.
4. Stuart MacGill: 4-19 vs Pakistan, 2000
Perennial underachieving Australian spinner Stuart MacGill played just three ODIs in his career, all within the space of a single week during Australia’s home ODI tri-series against India and Pakistan.
In his first ODI appearance, the cricketer bulldozed Pakistan with match-winning figures of 4-19 from his 10 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2000. Picking up the important wickets of Abdul Razzaq, Yousuf Youhana and Azhar Mahmood, he also won the ‘Player of the Match’ award after Australia secured a convincing 81-run win over the ‘Men in Green’.
3. Xavier Bartlett: 4-17 vs West Indies, 2024
Tearaway Australian paceman Xavier Bartlett celebrated his international debut with a ‘Player of the Match’ award. Getting drafted into the Australian ODI playing XI for the first time back in February 2024 for the series-opening first match against the West Indies in Melbourne, the speedster collected figures of 4-17 from his nine overs.
Bartlett’s figures restricted West Indies to just 231 in 48.4 overs, as hosts Australia secured a comfortable eight-wicket win in just 38.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the then three-match ODI series.
2. Tony Dodemaide: 5-21 vs Sri Lanka, 1988
Victorian fast bowler Tony Dodemaide played just 24 ODIs for Australia and collected 36 wickets in the process. The speedster nabbed five of those wickets on his ODI debut itself, doing so against Sri Lanka in January 1988 in the opening match of the Benson and Hedges World Series.
Bowling at the WACA in Perth, Dodemaide decimated Sri Lanka with exceptional bowling figures of 5-21 in 7.2 overs. His spell helped Australia steamroll Sri Lanka for just 168 as the hosts walked away with a convincing 81-run triumph. Unfortunately for Tony Dodemaide, it remained the only ODI five-fer of his five-year ODI career.
1. Mahli Beardman: 6-24 vs England, 2026
Modelling his bowling after the great Mitchell Johnson, young Australian quick Mahli Beardman received his maiden ODI cap in the first match of Australia’s home series against Ashes rivals England in November 2026.
Making his ODI debut against them at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the fast bowler scythed through the visitors with figures of 6-24, the best for any Australian cricketer on ODI debut.
His victims included Harry Brook, Joe Root and Sam Curran as Australia skittled England for just 131 in 33.4 overs.
