Amid the Sandpapergate controversy, Mahli Beardman and Mitchell Marsh shifted the spotlight back to cricket with a dominant display in Perth. Beardman's record-breaking six-wicket haul and Marsh's blistering fifty powered Australia to a seven-wicket win over England.Beardman picked up six wickets as Australia thrashed England (Courtesy: AP)It was a week for Australian cricket that was overshadowed by the reignition of the Sandpapergate scandal.

Even on Friday, just hours before the toss for the first ODI against England, everyone in Australia was interested in the press conference from Pat Cummins and not the match itself.Cummins slammed the allegations made by Usman Khawaja's book, calling it complete and utter nonsense. At this point, Australia needed someone to stand up and bring the attention back to cricket being played in Perth.

Hometown boys Mahli Beardman and captain Mitchell Marsh took it upon themselves to ensure that everyone was talking about the cricket played by the Aussies at the end of the day.AUS vs ENG 1ST ODI: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARDBeardman picked up six wickets while Marsh scored a blazing fifty as Australia thumped England by seven wickets. On a surface that induced pace and bounce, Australia's wild thing showed that he was ready to step up in the absence of the experienced trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Beardman finished with figures of six for 24 in 7.4 overs, the best by an Australian on debut. The hosts' decision to bowl first was vindicated early on as England lost Ben Duckett early and Tom Banton soon followed back to the pavilion.BEARDMAN SURFS THROUGH ENGLAND BATTING LINEUPThe 21-year-old pacer from Perth is considered to be a cricketer cut out from yesteryear.

He is a surfer, someone who enjoys fishing and disconnects himself from the outside noise when he is off the field. On the field, he has aimed to bowl fast and Marsh wanted an immediate impact from the pacer.

Beardman's breakthrough came when he got Harry Brook to nick a delivery that initially moved towards the batter before straightening sharply off the surface. He followed it up by dismissing Joe Root, who was featuring in his 200th ODI, with another ball that found the outside edge as it moved away.England's batting collapse showed no signs of slowing down.

Jordan Cox edged behind, while Sam Curran was undone by a short-pitched delivery. Liam Dawson became Beardman's fifth victim, leaving England in a precarious position at 60/7.

The young Australian had taken just 28 deliveries to dismantle the opposition's middle order, using his pace and ability to extract movement and bounce to devastating effect.Mitchell Johnson provided excellent support at the other end, wrapping up his spell with figures of 3/42. England managed a brief fightback through Will Jacks and Gus Atkinson, who added 37 runs for the ninth wicket.

Atkinson's unbeaten 29 helped the visitors push their total to a slightly more respectable score.However, Beardman had the final say. He returned to dismiss Jofra Archer, who was caught at gully, completing a stunning six-wicket haul on debut.MARSH SMASHES ENGLANDEngland briefly threatened to make a contest of the chase when Gus Atkinson sent Travis Head back for a golden duck, bowling him in the very first over.

Head's dismissal followed a familiar pattern, with another inside edge dragging the ball onto his stumps. However, England's hopes of building on that early success faded rapidly as Mitchell Marsh took charge.The Australian skipper wasted little time in putting the bowlers under pressure, finding gaps regularly and clearing the ropes with ease.

Marsh brought up his half-century in just 30 deliveries, hitting four sixes and four fours to put Australia firmly in control. Jamie Overton eventually ended his stay at the crease, but the damage had already been done.Cooper Connolly added 27 before Jofra Archer accounted for him.

Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw then completed the formalities without allowing England another opportunity to fight back. Australia reached the target in just 23.3 overs, sealing a comfortable seven-wicket victory with 159 balls remaining.- Ends