Emerging star Mahli Beardman has become Perth's pace enforcer this BBL season, but it's his state of flow that matters most to the 20-year-old.
Beardman was the matchwinner in Tuesday night's qualifier final win over the Sydney Sixers, snaring 3-20 to guide the Scorchers to a crushing 48-run triumph.
Perth looked to be in big trouble after scrapping their way to 9-147 at Optus Stadium.
But the Sixers were skittled for just 99 in 15 overs after Beardman sent Josh Philippe (13), Moises Henriques (2) and Steve Smith (37) packing in arguably the most important performance yet of his fledgling career.
Beardman hit speeds of around 145km/h in the win over Sydney - and he looked near effortless in doing so.
After the match, Beardman revealed the secret to his pace success.
"It's definitely not effortless. I felt every single ball there," Beardman said.
"But if you can sort of float in and not force it and just let it come - that's when you're going to bowl your fastest.
"I think if you go searching for pace, it's not something that comes naturally.
"It has to be a really fine line between charging in and wanting to snap at the crease, but then also just letting it flow naturally. And what happens, happens."
The right-arm speedster has been selected in the Australian squad for the upcoming T20 series in Pakistan, and shapes as a key figure in Sunday's BBL final against either the Sixers or Hobart Hurricanes.
With Lance Morris sidelined all season due to back stress fractures, Jhye Richardson still building fitness and form after shoulder surgery, and Jason Behrendorff and AJ Tye no longer at the club, it's been left to Beardman to carry the 'extreme pace' mantle at Perth this season.
Beardman will be lining up for BBL game No.13 in Sunday's final.
But after seeing a then 19-year-old Cooper Connolly produce a match-winning display in the BBL final three years ago, Beardman is dreaming of having his own heroic moment in the upcoming decider.
More than 50,000 fans are set to attend the final, with the Scorchers aiming to snare their sixth title.
