South West pair Jayden Goodwin and Mahli Beardman represent Prime Minister’s XI against India

South West products Jayden Goodwin and Mahli Beardman represented the Prime Minister’s XI in a rain-affected match against India in Canberra at the weekend. The pair received their baggy caps from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday but there was no play on the day due to inclement weather, with the two sides agreeing to play a 50-over game on Sunday. Walking to the wicket at No.3 in the first innings, Bunbury-raised Goodwin opened his run-scoring account from his very first delivery he faced, punching a ball from Mohammed Siraj off the back foot to the off side boundary. But they were to be his only runs of the innings, feathering an edge to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off the bowling of Akash Deep in the next over to depart for four from the same number of deliveries. With his side defending a total of 240, Cowaramup product Beardman was the first change introduced into the bowling attack and finished with figures of 0-25 from five overs as the tourists tracked down their target in the 46th over. The pair will now return to the WA squad to prepare for their final Sheffield Shield game before the Big Bash League break — a clash with New South Wales which starts on Friday at the SCG. Goodwin will be looking to continue a strong run of form which has him sitting eighth on the competition’s run-scoring charts despite having played only four of a possible five games, scoring 357 runs at an average of 51 for the season. Beardman has been part of multiple Shield squads this season but is yet to play his first red ball game for the State.