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Many supporters of Australian cricket of late have been feeling a bit gloomy about the lack of young players coming through (batsmen in particular) and wondering where the next star will come from.
This got me thinking about the state of major nations around the world and who is best placed talent-wise moving forward in the next five years or so, and if anyone will be able to take Test supremacy from South Africa.
I have come up with 10 names (in no particular order) of players I believe will be future stars of the game.
My main criteria were the players be under 23 years of age and they should not yet have played Test cricket (one day internationals are accepted though).
I have also included player comparisons regarding the type of player I seem them to be. Here they are:
1. Quinton de Kock – South Africa, 20, wicketkeeper, left-handed top-order batsman
Player comparison: Adam Gilchrist
De Kock is a classy wicketkeeper batsman who has shown much poise in his limited appearances at the international level so far, without exactly setting the world on fire.
He often bats at the top of the order, where he is capable of setting up an innings with his balanced brand of attacking but conventional strokeplay.
Strong forward off square and with a penchant for the pull, De Kock boasts a first-class batting average of 55.7 and a strike rate of 85, which quite frankly is phenomenal for a keeper-batsman, even considering the relatively small sample size.
While I’ve not seen a great deal of his keeping, what I have seen has impressed me, particularly his high degree of athleticism when standing back to the quicks.
2. Unmukt Chand – India, 20, right-handed top-order batsman
Player comparison: Virat Kohli
Probably my favourite of this group, Chand is very much in the mould of many modern batsman, in that he likes to dominate off the front foot. This despite being quite adept all around the wicket.
An old head on young shoulders, Chand is already averaging nigh on 40 in first-class cricket and has leadership potential in spades.
The highlight of his career to date would have to be his stroke-filled unbeaten hundred in last year’s under 19 World Cup final against Australia.
There is a level of confidence in Chand’s strokeplay that reminds me of Virat Kohli, and they have had a similar career path to date – both captaining India U19 to World Cup victory.
Despite India’s new found batting strength, I’d wager Chand will get his chance at Test level sooner rather than later.
Definitely one to watch closely.
3. Nic Maddinson – Australia, 21, left-handed top-order batsman
Player comparison: Shaun Marsh
Maddinson has come to the forefront of Australian cricket supporters’ minds since his successful winter tours of the British Isles and Africa with Australia A.
His first class career began with a stroke-filled hundred, but thereafter his form has been somewhat inconsistent until this winter.
Maddinson is a very explosive, yet technically correct and upright player, in the Shaun Marsh mould, possessing a very powerful off drive; meaning he fits in well at the top of the order in limited-overs cricket.
I still feel Maddinson could be more discerning at times regarding what balls to hit and what balls to defend.
However, he is learning how to temper offence with defence when the situation dictates it, as shown by his rising first class average of 40.50 from 27 matches.
the thing that really stands out about Maddinson is his ability to score quickly while playing conventional cricket strokes, thus minimising risk.
He has a first class strike rate of 64. This trait, should he continue to develop, should see him set for a lengthy stint at the top of the Australian order in all forms for years to come.
4. George Dockrell – Ireland, 21, left-arm orthodox spin
Player comparison: Daniel Vettori (without the batting ability)
I’m a big fan of Irish cricket and George Dockrell is no doubt one of their rising stars.
Having debuted as a 17-year-old schoolboy, Dockrell has entrenched himself as a key member of the Irish side, as demonstrated by the fact he has already won the Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year award.
Dockrell is a throwback to the classical left-arm spinner who relies on subtle changes of speed and flight rather than ripping turn.
Reminds me a lot of Daniel Vettori in the way he bowls, but does so with a lower arm action.
Very economical and his degree of control in stringing together consistent overs to apply pressure is exceptional given his age. Dockrell has already played a string of ODI matches for Ireland.
For now, when not playing for Ireland, Dockrell has continued to develop his cricket, playing for County team Somerset.
There is a very real possibility he will be headhunted by England in all forms of the game, given the current dearth of spinners after Graeme Swann at present.
5. Reece Topley – England, 19, left-arm fast
Player comparison: Mitchell Starc
An exceptional talent. Just 19 years of age, but already the subject of much hype and speculation, Topley has almost two full seasons of first class cricket under his belt and already has 93 wickets to his name.
He claimed 19 wickets at last year’s U19 World Cup and was easily the most complete fast bowler at the tournament.
Topley has more than enough pace and bowls in what coaches and media commentators are prone to calling ‘the right areas’.
As a left-hander, Topley has shown potential in being able to swing the ball back in to the right-hander, which will be a really damaging weapon for him going forward.
He looks very likely to be the leader of the English pace attack in years to come, once James Anderson eventually retires.
6. Jason Holder – West Indies, 21, right-arm medium-fast
Player comparison: Joel Garner
Big call to compare him to Joel Garner, and he might never get there, but the style is very similar.
Holder stands at 6’7″, which obviously makes him a very difficult proposition to face. Needless to say, Holder obtains steep bounce and this is his major attribute at this stage of his development, as his pace is reasonable without being outstanding.
His first class bowling average of 21 also makes for impressive reading.
Like Topley with England, I can really see Holder being the leader of that next generation of pace bowlers for the West Indies in years to come.
7. Mitchell Marsh – Australia, 21, middle-order batsman, right-arm medium-fast
Player comparison: Andrew Flintoff
Still only 21, but seems to have been around for ages. Some would argue this a highly speculative pick, given his off-field misdemeanours, injuries and relatively underwhelming performance to date, particularly in first class cricket.
He has potential in spades, which is a cursed cliche in the sporting world – just ask Shane Watson.
Marsh is a high-impact player who can do some real damage and change the game in the course of an hour. He is probably a better batsman at this stage than a bowler, ideally suited as a top six batsman and second change bowler.
As a batsman he is very upright at the crease and technically correct, but can go aerial when the situation requires it.
His first class batting average is only 20.6, which obviously isn’t enough, especially considering how talented he is.
Sharp as a bowler and relatively tall, he hits the deck pretty hard off a good length.
I would like to see Marsh develop some patience as a batsman so he can nail down a spot as a top six batsman, something his talent deserves.
He is probably just in need of that breakout, consistent season to realise his potential.
8. Paul Stirling – Ireland, 22, top-order batsman, right-arm off spin
Player comparison : Virender Sehwag
Probably Ireland’s star player, even more so than George Dockrell and Kevin O’Brien.
An explosive opening batsman who almost usually goes at a run a ball once he gets going; very much in the mould of India’s Virender Sehwag. He hits a very clean ball and has a deadly pull shot.
Like Dockrell, Stirling has played quite a lot of ODI cricket already for Ireland. He looks to be one of those players who step up to the big occasion, as evidenced by his ODI hundred against Pakistan earlier this year, which was followed by another hundred against Australia A in a four-day tour match. He already has five ODI hundreds.
Stirling’s flighted off-spin is also handy and adds another dimension to his dynamic game.
There is a chance that Stirling may be headhunted by England in coming years, particularly in the limited-over formats.
9. Lizaad Williams – South Africa, 19, right-arm medium-fast
Player comparison: Dale Steyn
Williams has serious pace for his age – he bowls around the 145 km mark, which makes him a real standout.
He bowls from a front-on action off a relatively short run-up, which means he is capable of surprising the batsman with just how quick he is.
A very skiddy bowler, he can clean up a lot of batsman with a bowled or LBW, hence the Dale Steyn comparison.
He is a really difficult proposition for batsmen and I can see him being the type of bowler who can get something out of all types of pitches, given his extra pace.
Williams’ first-class figures read 31 wickets at just 18, which shows he is really making an impact in the strong South African first class scene to date.
10. Sandeep Sharma – India, 20, right-arm medium
Player comparison: Praveen Kumar/Mohammed Asif
An old school swing and seam merchant, who seems to be a relic of a bygone era.
Sharma is far from express pace, coming in around the high 120s to low 130s, but has the ability to swing the ball prodigiously both ways.
Sharma is capable of hitting that awkward nagging length, which makes him quite economical as well.
He is one of those bowlers that really has the potential to do some damage, particularly when the conditions suit him.
Sharma has shown in Indian first class cricket he can adapt, with 47 wickets at an average of 22, in matches played predominantly in India, where pitches are often tailored to suit spinners.
Time will tell as to whether he will adapt at the highest level without express pace to fall back on, but the early signs are promising.
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