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They may not be household names yet but the following five men could easily find themselves on a plane to England in six months’ time.
Since 2007, it’s been easy to recognise most cricketers in Australia. This is partly due to the fact that every man and his dog have been picked for national honours in some form due to key retirements and hunch-based selections. It’s also due to the success of the Big Bash League and other Twenty20 tournaments.
In fact, since Brad Haddin made his debut as Australia’s 400th Test cricketer in 2008, we’ve managed to add another 30 players to this list in less than five years.
With due respect, names like Xavier Doherty and George Bailey were never mooted as international standard until they were actually selected.
Selectors will likely take 16 or 17 players to the old dart next year, so, just for fun, let’s look at another five who I believe are genuine stars on the rise and could force their way into the touring party:
Kane Richardson – 21
This young quick from South Australia has improved dramatically this season. His main point of difference is the ability to swing the new ball in to the right hander and get the ball to spit off a good length.
He has a whippy action and has been clocked at close to 150km/h in the BBL recently. With the current bowler injury plague, he could quickly jump the queue.
James Faulkner – 22
The thing I love about Faulkner is feistiness and ability to set an aggressive tone with the ball. In his short career he has already managed to rough up Chris Gayle and Herschelle Gibbs, and more importantly – get them out.
The 107 first-class wickets at 22 is a great start, and a very handy middle order batsman as well. Could fill a similar role to Mitchell Johnson but with better accuracy.
Aaron Finch – 26
Finch is an unusual one. He’s been around the scene for a few years now and dominates the short forms of the game.
His first-class record, however, is poor, averaging a tick under 30. But I get the feeling that Finch is just one big innings away from transferring that white ball form and once he does, he won’t look back.
Almost a certainty to play ODIs and T20 for Australia this season so we’ll soon see how he performs on the big stage.
Joe Burns – 23
Another who will be pushing for a middle order berth in a batting line-up that remains unsettled. A right hander from Queensland who times the ball beautifully on both sides of the wicket and looks to have good innings management.
We desperately need some young batsmen to come through and Joe should be leading the charge.
Peter Nevill – 27
With Brad Haddin now discarded it seems Matthew Wade and Tim Paine are in a two-horse race for the crucial ‘keeping role.
Paine, however, has struggled for fitness in recent years and Wade is still finding his feet at the top level. Nevill, originally from Victoria, has impressed me with his very tidy glove work (especially off Murali in the BBL) and looks technically sound with the bat.
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