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Mahli & Steve: How Beardman plotted Smudge demise
Andrew Slevison • January 21st, 2026 9:03 am
Mahli Beardman won the battle of generations as the Perth Scorchers smashed the Sydney Sixers to move straight through to the BBL Final.
Beardman, 20, picked up the prized wicket of Australian great Steve Smith, 36, to essentially end any chance of a Sixers recoil at Optus Stadium.
The Sixers were targeting 148 for victory which at 5/74 somehow still looked achievable with Smith at the crease on 37.
But that glimmer of hope was snuffed out when ‘Smudge’ hit a Beardman short ball straight down the throat of David Payne at fine leg.
Captain Ashton Turner’s plan was simple.
“I think the short ball on fourth or fifth stump is a real weapon here, the way he (Smith) is setting up,” Turner told Beardman according to ESPNCricinfo.
The execution was up to Beardman.
“That's definitely the pinnacle (of my career) so far,” Beardman said of the Smith dismissal.
“The immense support from the crowd, and the energy was incredible. We saw how inside he was going at that short ball, and how fine he was trying to hit.
“I was just lucky enough to execute it somewhat decently.”
Beardman admits it was a significant moment for him given the stature of Smith - one of Australia’s greats.
“It was hard to take the emotion out of it. That's someone that I've grown up idolising, how incredible he has been at international level for so long,” he said further.
“So it was a bit of a pinch-me moment. I had to try and take the emotion away, and just focus on bowling good balls to him and trying to execute.”
The youngster, who is in the Aussie T20 squad for the Pakistan tour, took season-best figures of 3/20 (including 2/2 in his first over) to help the five-time BBL champions qualify for a remarkable ninth final.
His exceptional fast-bowling display came after teammate Finn Allen struck 49 (off 30 balls) while Turner (29 off 21) and Jhye Richardson (20 off 18) contributed with the bat.
The Scorchers would make 9/147 off their 20 overs before rolling the Sixers for just 99.
The competition’s most successful franchise will host the BBL|15 Final in Perth on January 25.
Before that though the Hobart Hurricanes host the Melbourne Stars in The Knockout tonight for the chance to meet the Sixers in The Challenger at the SCG on Friday night.
