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Australia is currently sitting on top of the cricketing world. World No.1 in one day internationals, 2nd in 20/20 internationals, and 3rd in international Test matches. It’s easy to assume the position will only improve given the blistering form of the batting line up, and the scorching pace of our bowlers.
However injuries, poor form and retirement have wrecked havoc on seasoned veterans and class performers, leaving selectors to tap into the youth of Australian cricket in order to find an answer. So here is my top 10 best Australian Cricketers under 23.
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10. Alex Gregory
A young all-rounder showing great potential. Hailing from South Australia, Gregory is drawing the eye of selectors with his fast medium right arm bowling and strong right arm batting. In 11 List A matches Gregory has taken four wickets with an impressive economy of 4.97.
However, Gregory is only managing 97 runs at a average of 10 with the bat – this is obviously an area to improve in at the top level.
9. Mickey Edwards
Towering in at an imposing 198cm, with long leavers and a whippy action Edwards is a promising upcoming right arm fast bowler.
At 21 years of age the New South Welshmen was rewarded with a rookie contract after a stellar Sydney first grade season with Manly-Warringah where he took 40 wickets across the three formats, including figures of 3/52 in Manly’s Grand Final win.
8. Matthew Short
A very talented all rounder, batting right-handed and bowling right arm off break. At only 20 years old Short is already signed to the Melbourne Renegades and has two BBL matches under his belt.
Scoring an unbeaten 76 in his first-class debut against New Zealand and backing it up with one wicket and an economy of 3.35, Short is very skilled in both aspects of the game.
Particularly talented in the one-day format with a highest score of 96, it might not be long until we see Short in the green and gold for Australia.
7. Billy Stanlake
The tallest player in the list coming in at a huge 204cm tall, bowling right arm fast and capable of bowling 145km and faster, Stanlake is an obvious inclusion. After taking seven wickets in his first class debut in 2015, Stanlake is generating well-deserved hype.
The Queenslander averages only 20 taking eight wickets in his four first-class innings, earning a spot in the Adelaide Strikers bowling line up in BBL05.
6. Mathew Dixon
At 23 years and 224 days old, Dixon is the oldest player in the list. Nevertheless, he is still a very talented young pace cricketer. He is well known in the BBL playing for the Perth Scorchers, and took three wickets in his most recent game only five days ago.
Dixon is capable of bowling real heat with his structured straight right arm action, this was on show in his first class career taking seven wickets in only five matches with an economy of 4.95.
5. James Peirson
A very talented wicketkeeper batsman, who already at 23 is the opener for the Brisbane heat in the BBL. Peirson has amassed a strong fan base opening for the Heat this year and with an impressive strike rate of 130 it’s clear why.
He isn’t however limited to the shortened over format scoring plenty of runs in one-day matches and Test matches. With Australia needing a young wicketkeeper and possibly one long term, Peirson will surely be on the mind of selectors in coming years.
4. Mitch Swepson
Receiving praise from the best legbreak bowling of all time Shane Warne, Swepson is creating waves for his legbreak bowling around the world. Swepson has an amazing ability to turn the ball and put the batter in different minds.
Skilled in all forms of the game, the Queenslander averages at least one wicket in every game he plays, so it is no doubt Swepson has a big future in Australian cricket. Remember the name.
3. Jake Doran
Referred to as the next ‘Mr Cricket’ it is no wonder Doran is number three on my list. Doran has amassed an impressive 197 runs in his five first class matches and is a known century maker in lower grades. Doran is also a talented wicketkeeper behind the stumps only adding to his impressive versatility.
To top it off, Doran captained the u19 Australian team last year, scoring an unbeaten 99 and putting him in the company of Michael Clark and Steve Smith who both captained the u19s Australian team.
Doran has been on the selectors’ minds for a while now, placing him in development teams and camps in order to nourish and enhance his natural skill with the bat. Doran has a massive future in cricket and at only 19 years old, its only a matter of time until he’s a household name.
2. Travis Head
If you didn’t know Travis head before this summer, you do know. Recently selected in Australian T20 team, Head will headline a new youthful team. Head is an extremely skilled batsmen, leading the Adelaide Strikers to many wins this season including his thrilling innings against the Sixers where he made 101* and was brilliant with the ball.
A classy left-hand batsman, Head made his Sheffield Shield debut at the age of 18 in the 2011-12 season. Over the next few summers he established his place in the South Australia batting line-up and was a consistent contributor, though a maiden century proved elusive despite his regular scores in the nineties.
In February 2015, Head was named captain of the Redbacks and at 21 became the state’s youngest captain of all time. With all this before his 22nd birthday it is obvious Head is going to be a huge star in years to come.
1. Cameron Bancroft
Coming in at No.1 is the patient opening batsmen Cameron Bancroft. With a sound technique, Bancroft enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2014-15 when he finished third on the Sheffield Shield run tally with 896 runs at 47.15.
The highlight of his summer was a maiden double-century. He batted for more than 13 hours, scoring 211 against New South Wales, proof of the high price he places on his wicket. A call-up for Australia A followed and he used his feet and the sweep to great effect in negating India A’s spinners when he made 150 in Chennai.
Highly rated by his Western Australia coach Justin Langer, Bancroft debuted for his state in one-day cricket at 18, but had to wait two more years to be given a chance in the Sheffield Shield side.
Given his willingness to bat long periods it is against the red ball that is future appears to lie, and Australia’s selectors will keep a close eye on Bancroft in the coming years. I’m tipping a call up to the Australian squad next summer.
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