The heat, the crowds, the colour, the fanaticism of the fans and the star power of the other teams all combined to leave the then 19-year-old dazzled.
The left-armer was part of the Otago squad which contested the 2009 Champions League (CLT20). He did not make the playing XI but the experience has stuck with him.
Otago was bundled out of the lucrative tournament after two disappointing efforts. Four years on, the team is set to return and is hoping for a larger share of the $NZ7.7 million in total prize money.
''I think we were a little overawed by the situation last time,'' Beard said.
''There were big crowds and for me I'd never seen anything like that. Cricket is a religion there and this time we'll be much better prepared for that.''
Beard is a different bowler these days. He flights and spins the ball a little less. But through subtle changes of pace and an impeccable line and length, he is able to generate enormous pressure and has developed into a fine limited-overs bowler.
Beard was instrumental in helping Otago win the HRV Cup. He was the tournament's joint leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets at an average of 12.73 and his economy rate of 5.96 was the best of anyone who had bowled at least 10 overs.
''I guess having guys around like Nathan McCullum helps. I can always feed off him,''Beard said when asked about his improvement.
McCullum is New Zealand's leading wicket-taker in twenty20 cricket with 42 wickets in 47 matches. He also helped the Sydney Sixers win the CLT20 last year. He opened the bowling in the final and took three for 24 to help set up 10-wicket win. Nathan's younger brother, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, is one of the best twenty20 batsmen in the world and will lead the side in India.
Beard said it was inspiring to play alongside athletes of that calibre.
''These guys have travelled the world and played the best guys in the world. That gives us younger guys confidence. When we go out in the field we know we've got guys in our team who have been there and done that.''
There was a last-minute change to the itinerary but Otago left Dunedin's temperate climes yesterday bound for Sri Lanka, where it will play four warm-up games before heading to India.
The CLT20 qualifying series gets under way on September 17. While there has been no change to the timetable, Otago will now play its three qualifying games in Mohali rather than in Hyderabad. The venue was switched because state police advised organisers they could not provide adequate security because the games clashed with the Ganesh immersion.
It should not matter too much. Beard told the Otago Daily Time earlier this week the bowling plans did not alter much from ground to ground.
''Your bowling plans are pretty similar in different conditions. A good ball is a good ball. You still have to get your yorker in there and you've still got to execute the deliveries.''
''It is about trying to limit those boundaries. I guess I've worked out plans to do that and I enjoy the challenge.''
Otago opens its campaign against the Faisalabad Wolves on September 17 and the Volts have highlighted the game as crucial.
''We will be looking to target that first game against the Pakistan side. If we can get a win there that will set us right for the tournament and set a good tone for us.''
Champions League
Otago's schedule
• Four warm-up matches in Sri Lanka against a composite first-class side on September 6th,7th, 9th and 12th.
• One warm-up game in India - still to be finalised
Champions League
twenty20 qualifiers
• September 17: v Faisalabad Wolves (Pakistan)
• September 18: v Kandurata Maroons (Sri Lanka)
• September 20: v Sunrisers Hyderabad (India)
