Mahli Beardman: West Australian pace sensation commits to off-season in the gym after Perth Scorchers debut

West Australian pace ace Mahli Beardman has committed himself to return a bigger and faster version of himself next season. Beardman, who debuted for Perth Scorchers this summer and took four wickets in just his second one-dayer for WA on Thursday, will spend the winter in the gym in a bid to get stronger and shake off injury niggles that have lingered this season. The teenager has been one of the biggest sensations for WA and the Scorchers this summer ahead of what looms as a regeneration of the uber-successful domestic sides. Beardman has already battled stress fractures and osteitis pubis in his stellar junior career. WA has one more one-day match this season — against Queensland in Brisbane later this month — and the white-ball focused Beardman is unlikely to be used in their three remaining Sheffield Shield matches. “I think it will just be getting back in the gym,” he said after WA’s 44-run loss to South Australia at the WACA Ground. “I have been battling a few niggles as all fast bowlers do, so I think it will be get in the gym, have a big pre-season and try and get a bit stronger.” Beardman said he is already feeling more powerful than he did when he first made his domestic debut at the start of last summer. And in his 4-46 on Thursday, where he cannoned through South Australia’s middle-order, he was given a license to attack. “Just attacking, I think that’s really important for me. Looking to get hit back down the ground a lot of the time and bringing the stumps into play as much as I can,” Beardman said. “I think being a bit skiddier and trying to challenge people with a bit of air-speed and trying to keep the stumps in play as much as possible.” The 19-year-old forms a fearsome one-two punch with tearaway quick Lance Morris, who he has watched closely during his two seasons in the State program. Beardman said Morris is like the devil on his shoulder — fielding at mid-on — and the pair have to resist letting fast bowlers’ instincts get the better of them. “I love it. Any time I get to bowl with Lance it’s awesome, having him there at mid-on as well, it’s like the bad intrusive thoughts telling you to bowl an extra bumper or something. It’s awesome having him there, “ he said. WA fielded one of its youngest sides ever this week and are unlikely to get much more experienced back for the trip to Queensland. Ashton Agar missed that game with a calf injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season, while others are either battling long-term injuries or away with Australia’s one-day team in Sri Lanka. Jayden Goodwin, Corey Rocchiccioli and Joel Curtis all debut in the format on Thursday. Beardman played his second match, Keaton Critchell and Sam Fanning their third and fast bowler Bryce Jackson his fourth. “With this younger group, we might not click just yet, but as we’ve seen there are some incredible players coming through and I’m super excited to play some cricket with this group now and see where we can go over the next few years,” Beardman said.