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With the Ashes less than a month away, it is time to get serious about this Australian Test cricket team.
The Australian batsmen have struggled over the past year. Apart from Michael Clarke’s amazing 2012, there is not another batsman who has stamped his authority on Test cricket.
However, at the other end of the batting order, there is hope.
Australia’s fast bowling stocks are currently one of the world’s best. There is a host of young bowlers who have made their marks on Test cricket.
Peter Siddle is the leader of the attack. He is ranked inside the top 10 Test bowlers on the planet and has been the most consistent performer over the past three years. He is hard working and always done a solid job.
Then there are the experienced Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus. All of them have had successful domestic and Test careers, and may be in the selectors’ minds for the 2013-14 Ashes series.
Johnson could be an x-factor for the upcoming Ashes series.
His pace and bounce gave him the 2009 ICC cricketer of the year and he has shown signs of his best over the past two months.
Hilfenhaus is currently one of the forgotten men and after a few solid Ryobi Cup performances and a decent first class start, he could be back in the Test team.
Every single state has a young fast bowler who can make their mark. South Australia has two very promising talents.
One is Chadd Sayers, who is one of the best outswing bowlers in the domestic game.
The 26-year-old’s 2012-2013 Shield figures were supreme. He picked up 48 wickets at a very impressive 18.5.
Victoria has the aggressive and fast James Pattinson. Pattinson is one of the world’s brightest stars and could be the leader of the pack in five years’ time.
With the right training, he could be a future Mitchell Johnson.
News South Wales have a big group which includes Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Trent Copeland and the injury-prone Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins spent the last summer on the sidelines and will again be out with injury this season.
Copeland is becoming a forgotten man but, although not as fast as some of the others, he is reliable and very accurate.
Queensland have a familiar name leading their pack.
Alister McDermott is not far off a Test birth, while Ben Cutting is becoming a handy lower order batsman and a fast swinger of the ball.
Mcdermott’s father Craig was just been appointed the Test team’s fast bowling coach.
With 291 Test wickets, he should be able to pass on his Test experience to this group of up-and-comers.
Tasmanian James Faulkner was the hero of last week’s one day game against India.
He and all-rounder Luke Butterworth have been some of the most consistent performers over the last three domestic seasons.
Finally, Western Australia have a couple of young bowlers who may be in line for higher honours.
With Dennis Lillee just around the corner for a helping hand, who knows how good these guys could be.
Nathan Coulter-Nile is becoming one of the most consistent bowlers in all forms of crickets.
The 26-year-old had a fantastic Champions League tournament with the Mumbai Indians, showing bounce and great control. He even destroyed his own Perth Scorchers with 3-19 off his four overs.
Jason Behrendorff showed good signs in the Champions League and in last year’s Big Bash League.
Behrendorff and New South Welshman Gurinder Sandhu are two young bowlers who will look to make higher honours in the next three years.
Johnson and Hilfenhaus have a great chance to return, while Coulter-Nile could be a Test debutant.
I would love to see Sayers get a go at Test level.
He can move the ball and hopefully trouble the strong English batting line-up.
What do you think Roarers? Who has the brightest future, or who do you think will make their mark this summer?
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