England, sent in to bat, were bowled out for 131 in 33.4 overs after slipping to 65 for eight. Australia chased the target down in just 23.3 overs, losing three wickets, as captain Mitch Marsh smashed 50 from 30 balls to set the tone.

The tourists' innings unravelled rapidly after a steady start of 24 for the first wicket. Ben Duckett fell for 12, slashing Spencer Johnson to backward point, and Tom Banton made 25 before driving at Xavier Bartlett.

Beardman, a 21-year-old local product, then took centre stage. His eighth ball removed Harry Brook, caught behind, and he soon had Joe Root — playing his 200th ODI — caught behind for 17 after a dropped chance on three.

Jordan Cox and Sam Curran followed in similar fashion, both nicking defensive prods, while Liam Dawson fell for a golden duck. Beardman returned to dismiss Jofra Archer and finish with six for 24, the best debut figures for Australia in ODIs and matching Reece Topley's England record analysis from 2022.

Will Jacks (25) and Gus Atkinson (29 not out) added late resistance to push England past 130, but the damage was done. Atkinson bowled Travis Head with his first delivery in reply, yet Australia never looked troubled.

Marsh launched a brutal assault, striking four sixes and four fours to race to his half-century and effectively end the contest by the ninth over. Cooper Connolly contributed 27 before Matt Renshaw and Josh Inglis completed the formalities with 159 balls to spare.

England head coach Brendon McCullum admitted his side failed to adjust to the conditions. "It all happened pretty quick! We weren't quick enough to adapt to the conditions," he said after the match.

McCullum said the team had discussed the pitch extensively, describing it as "a bit like batting on a trampoline" where certain attacking shots were difficult to execute. Despite expecting a low-scoring game, he felt England should have managed far more than 131.

Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior echoed those concerns, questioning the visitors' inflexible approach. "Going to Perth as an Englishman is always a bit of a nightmare. The pace and the bounce is very different. You've got to have the ability to adapt, which the England batsmen didn't do," he said.

Prior highlighted a recurring reliance on all-out attack without the capacity to change gears. He felt the Perth surface demanded patience and innings-building, and questioned whether England's 10-day preparation, including a warm-up at the WACA, had translated into match readiness.

England, currently eighth in the ODI rankings, have now lost four of their last five matches. The run includes a disappointing tri-series in Pakistan last month, though they had beaten Sri Lanka and India earlier in 2026.

Prior warned that losing had become a habit. "Like we say winning is a habit, so too is losing. They are going to have to shift it around," he said, stressing the need to build confidence ahead of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The defeat continues England's recent struggles at Optus Stadium, where they lost the first Ashes Test inside two days 12 months ago. Australia, meanwhile, fielded an inexperienced attack with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rested between Test series.

The series moves to Adelaide for the second ODI on Sunday, 15 November, before the final match in Hobart on 18 November. A five-match T20I series begins in Melbourne on 21 November.

Brief scores: England 131 all out (33.4 overs; Jacks 25, Atkinson 29*, Beardman 6-24, Johnson 2-18, Bartlett 2-26) lost to Australia 132-3 (23.3 overs; Marsh 50, Connolly 27, Renshaw 24*, Inglis 18*; Atkinson 1-14) by seven wickets.

The hosts handed a debut to 19-year-old Western Australian fast bowler Mahli Beardman, while England captain Harry Brook admitted his side would also have bowled first had they won the toss.

"We're not disappointed. We'd have had a bowl if we'd have won the toss, but look, you've got to do both aspects of the game at some point, so we'll take it on," Brook said.

Marsh said the pitch looked good and was unlikely to change, adding that Australia prefer to chase and hope to apply early pressure with the ball.

The Australian skipper described Beardman's debut as exciting for the young quick, noting there is no better place for a West Australian to start his international career.

Marsh emphasised the importance of winning the first match of the summer, acknowledging his side is relatively young and inexperienced but full of energy.

Brook said England had enjoyed a strong preparation, including training at the WACA and a practice match, which they rarely get in white-ball cricket.

The England captain confirmed his team would field four fast bowlers alongside spinner Liam Dawson, with Adil Rashid left out of the XI.

Australia's line-up comprises Travis Head, Marsh, Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson and Beardman.

England selected Ben Duckett, Tom Banton, Joe Root, Brook, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer.

England reached 25 without loss after five overs, with Duckett and Banton negotiating the new ball from Bartlett and Johnson.

The series moves to Adelaide for the second ODI on Sunday and Hobart for the third on Wednesday, before a five-match Twenty20 series begins on Friday.

England are looking to rebound from a disappointing tri-series performance in Pakistan last month, where they failed to reach the final.

Australia's youthful side features several players with limited international experience, but Marsh believes the energy in the group can compensate.

The second ODI at Adelaide Oval on Sunday will give both teams a quick chance to adjust after the series opener.