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Who are the young Australian batsmen who will compete to replace Chris Rogers, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and George Bailey in the Test side over the next few years?
I have identified the eight players aged 25 or younger who are most likely to earn a baggy green and ranked them based on who has the best chance of making an impact in Tests over the following decade.
Part one looks at the players I ranked from five to eight.
5. Joe Burns (24 years old) – 2281 first-class runs at 41
Burns swiftly made himself known to opponents when given a crack at Sheffield Shield cricket.
On debut three years ago against a solid South Australian attack featuring Nathan Lyon, Peter George, Kane Richardson and Daniel Christian, he struck an unbeaten 140.
What made that innings even more impressive was that he compiled it amid a crisis – Queensland were 3-11 before he set about rescuing them along with veteran James Hopes.
Burns is known for playing the ball late, a vital attribute for any top order batsman, and is equally comfortable on the front or back foot.
He had an ordinary Shield campaign last season, with 587 runs at 33.
But he has rebounded with authority this summer, crashing 502 runs at 72 in his five first-class outings.
Burns has achieved these results while adapting to his new role as an opener.
Like several of those ranked above him in this list, he has the ability to bat almost anywhere in the top six.
6. Travis Head (20 years old) 1126 runs at 30
The South Australian prodigy could have had his cricketing career ended in January last year.
Head was with team mates celebrating their Shield win against Victoria when he was hit by a car outside an Adelaide hotel.
In a significant stroke of luck, Head avoided severe injuries.
He spent one night in hospital and, in a sign of his resilience, suited up for SA in their next Shield fixture.
A technically-sound left-handed batsman, Head was this year handed the challenge of holding down first drop for the Redbacks.
He has responded brilliantly, compiling 466 runs at 42 to be a large reason why SA are currently top of the Shield ladder.
Head is still green and would benefit from another 15-20 first-class games at a minimum before being considered for the Test side.
But he undoubtedly has the requisite talent, technique and temperament to become an international cricketer.
7. Marcus Harris (21 years old) – 1179 first-class runs at 29
It has been a tough gig being part of Western Australia’s top order the past few seasons.
The Warriors have been arguably the worst-performed batting side in the competition and prone to collapses.
Amid this carnage, a cherubic opener has been trying to find his feet.
Harris made his debut three years ago aged just 18.
Soon after, he became the youngest player in the history of Australian first-class cricket to reach 150 when he caned 159 against Queensland.
The left-hander boasts an uncomplicated technique and admirable patience.
Harris is currently trying to force his way back in WA’s Shield line-up in the first major setback of his brief career.
He has, however, enjoyed some success in games against the England touring side and the England Performance Programme this summer.
In those three matches he reaped 218 runs at 44 to keep his name before the WA selectors.
Harris is one of the production line of gifted young openers in State ranks, along with Jordan Silk, Phil Hughes, Nic Maddinson, Joe Burns and Ryan Carters.
8. Ryan Carters (23 years old) – 932 first-class runs at 33
We are only now beginning to see the full extent of Carters’ talent with the blade.
The Canberra-raised youngster in the winter switched from Victoria to New South Wales, where he was transformed from a wicketkeeper into an opening batsman.
With Peter Nevill entrenched behind the stumps for the Blues, Carters was offered this fresh opportunity by the NSW selectors who clearly recognised his batting gifts.
It could prove to be the making of the 23-year-old.
He has gone from being a borderline ‘keeper with Victoria to an integral member of the Blues’ top order.
In his five first-class matches this summer Carters has compiled 562 runs at 62, including the first two tons of his career.
His previous 11 first-class matches had seen him return just 360 runs at 19.
Clearly, being relieved of the gloves has been of great benefit to his batting.
Carters’ most striking performance of the summer came for the Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI against England in November.
This was England’s final warm up match before the Ashes so they were still brimming with confidence.
Carters’ had to bat at six in this match and found himself being tasked with rescuing his side from a perilous situation at 5-93.
Against an attack featuring Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin, Carters showed great composure in building a patient innings of 93.
In the second dig he made a breezy 40 to cap off a terrific display which likely proved the catalyst for his scintillating Shield form thereafter.