A week of watching Australian cricket descend into civil war ended with smiles being wiped from English faces after a stunning debut from fast bowler Mahli Beardman consigned the tourists to an all-too-familiar hammering in Perth.

Victory in a low-key one-day international was never going to atone for the galling start to that failed Ashes campaign here 12 months ago. Nevertheless, England appeared better prepared this time, while the hosts were missing their big three quicks and fighting sandpaper-related bushfires off the field.

And yet by 4.38pm local time – nine hours after Pat Cummins had finished his marathon takedown of Usman Khawaja’s autobiography in Sydney – Harry Brook’s side were 1-0 down once again.…