The sudden emergence of Doug Bracewell, Vernon Philander, Pat Cummins, and James Pattinson has taken the international pace scene by storm.
In exactly a month the quality quartet debuted from three countries:
Kiwi Bracewell (21 years 81 days) was the first cab off the rank on November 1 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo. South African Philander (26 years 177 days) debuted a week later against the Australians at Cape Town.
Australian Cummins (18 years 224) debuted the following week against South Africa at Johannesburg, and two weeks later – December 1 – compatriot James Pattinson (21 years 229) debuted against New Zealand at the Gabba.
They have returned phenomenal first-up figures:
* Philander shows the way from three Tests with 24 wickets at 12.37.
* Pattinson has played two Tests, taking 14 wickets at 14.
* Cummins has played only one Test through injury, but has claimed seven wickets at 16.71.
* While Bracewell has played three Tests, taking 16 wickets at 19.25 apiece.
Philander has been the standout. His best figures – four “five-fors” in six digs, including 5-15 against Australia at Cape Town. Pattinson has claimed two in four digs, with 5-27 against New Zealand at the Gabba and 5-51 against New Zealand at Bellerive.
Bracewell two as well in six, as he teared a six wicket hole against Australia at Bellerive, taking 6-40, while teenager Cummins claimed 6-79 against South Africa at Johannesburg, on debut.
Phenomenal figures alright, and it will be interesting to see how their respective careers pan out after such spectacular starts.
You have to turn the clock back 65 years to find a comparable quartet of pacemen who debuted close together.
Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller, and Ernie Toshack wore baggy green for the first time for Australia against New Zealand at Wellington in March 1946. Alec Bedser pulled on his first England cap at Lords three months later against India.
To compare the two quartets:
Lindwall after three Tests had taken 5-175, an average of 35. His career stats were 228 wickets at 23,03 from 61 Tests.
Miller after three Tests has claimed 12-144, average 12. His career stats: 170 wickets at 22.97 from 55 Tests.
Toshack took 6-18 on debut, with his three Test figures a promising 15-139, average 9.27. His final stats read 47 wickets at 21.04 from just 12 Tests.
Bedser came out of the blocks to take ten wickets in a Test on his first two outings, taking 11-145 and 11-93 against India, before recording a more reserved 2-60 in his third Test, giving him a three Test total of 25-298, average 11.92. His career stats were 236 wickets at 24.89 from 51 Tests.
That quartet set a mighty hot pace with many sensational performances for first-timers – something for the current crop to aspire to.
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