Young guns' reputation enhanced in 'A' series (Part 1): Four-day matches

This Australia A series has been a highly anticipated chance to see the development of the next generation of Test and ODI cricketers.

So far, the series has been very entertaining, with Australia dominating South Africa A in the 2 four-day matches.

So, who has enhanced their reputation during this series, and who has failed to impress so far?

Batsmen
When it comes to the batsmen, it was more a question of who didn’t impress, rather than who did, with the top four of the Australia A line up all performing strongly.

Cameron Bancroft
165 runs at 55 from two matches, four innings

Bancroft continues to demonstrate that he is as ready for the step up to Test level as any other young batsman in Australia.

Having also batted strongly in the last A series in India, Bancroft could be a realistic option to replace Joe Burns at the top of the Test team order if the latter’s form doesn’t pick up over the home summer, or if the selectors feel the need for a change for the tour of India.

Bancroft’s form over the past two or three Shield seasons has been great, showing consistency that some other contenders cannot boast.

Kurtis Patterson
222 runs at 74 from two matches, four innings

After a breakthrough Shield season last year, Patterson continued his good form in dominating the South African attack and showing his classy strokeplay and composure at the crease. The left-hander also showed adaptability, batting at both number three and as an opener – a position he has not occupied for NSW in the past, but was happy to take on for Australia A.

Matt Renshaw
119 runs at 59.5 from one match, two innings

Another youngster to have a breakthrough Shield season, Renshaw didn’t disappoint in his one match for Australia A, scoring an elegant 94 opening the batting, setting up a great platform for the team.

While he may need at least one more solid Shield season to prove he can score runs consistently over a number of seasons, he is certainly a great talent for the future and one to watch over 2016-17.

Marcus Stoinis
156 runs at 52 from two matches, three innings

Batting lower down the order than his customary number three, Stoinis was a solid contributor at number five (and occasionally number six). His 120 in the first innings of the first match set the tone for the series, in that Australia’s batsmen would continue to dominate the South African bowlers for the remaining matches.

Stoinis was also a handy contributor with the ball, taking four wickets at 22.25 and, perhaps most significantly, sending down a healthy 40 overs over the four innings at an economy rate of just 2.17, proving that he can be a viable fourth seamer in any first-class team or even perhaps the Test team.

Having strung together three solid Shield seasons with the bat, Stoinis seems the logical choice if the Test selectors decide to give Mitch Marsh a rest and try someone else at six. The Moises Henriques experiment hasn’t really worked out in Sri Lanka, so perhaps that moves Stoinis to the top of the list?

Peter Handscomb
155 runs at 51.66 from two matches, three innings

The captain had a great series, both with the bat and as the leader of a team that really put the foot down when needed and dominated in both the batting and bowling. The way he rotated his bowlers and brought on the spinners at key moments seemed to do the trick, as the South African batsmen failed to build partnerships and never got away from the Aussie bowlers.

‘Pistol’ Pete’s 137 in the second match really set up the game, and demonstrated his ability to bat big and play the captain’s knock when required.

Handscomb’s reputation as a fine player of spin could also see him considered for the upcoming tour to India, assuming he continues his good form into the next Shield season.

Glenn Maxwell
51 runs at 17 from two matches, three innings

Maxwell’s numbers don’t look pretty, however batting at number six when the top four were dominating didn’t give him many chances to build a big innings.

In the second innings of the first match, with Australia A searching for quick runs in order to declare with enough time to bowl out the South Africans on the final day, Maxwell was sent in at number three with instructions to lift the scoring. His 38 from 27 balls was exactly what the captain ordered and allowed the team to make an overnight declaration and knock over the South Africans on Day 4.

Maxwell also bowled quite a few overs and picked up three wickets at 37 with an economy rate of 2.46 RPO.

Jake Lehmann
Only got one dig and made 12 runs. After that, he was whisked off to Yorkshire to replace Travis Head, who was called into the Aussie squad in Sri Lanka.

He hasn’t exactly dominated the attacks in England, but still has a few more county matches to impress.

Wicketkeeper: Sam Whiteman
The West Australian has made an impressive showing with the gloves, demonstrating good foot work and composure, and being generally tidy behind the stumps. With the bat, he had three innings for 60 runs at 20.66, but like Maxwell and other lower-order batsmen, had little opportunity as the top order generally made plenty of runs.

Bowlers
With many of the up-and-coming fast bowlers that selectors have earmarked for higher honors being injured, we saw some of the slightly more mature, less glamorous quicks take center stage. Joel Paris was named in the initial squad, but was missing (presumed injured) when the starting XI was named for both matches. James Pattinson, Jason Behrendorff and Pat Cummins are all recovering from injury, leaving the door open for the following cast of unlikely heroes:

Joe Mennie
12 wickets at 12.25 with an economy rate of 2.3 RPO from two matches

The Big South Australian, originally from NSW, continued his top form from the last Shield season (where he was the leading wicket-taker) proving that a consistent line and length, and subtle movement off the pitch and through the air can take you wickets in Australian conditions, and you don’t need to be bowling at over 150km/h to be a successful fast bowler.

Mennie could put himself in line for the third seamer’s spot in the Test team, especially if other contenders keep getting injured – Nathan Coulter-Nile just went down with a back injury this week.

At 27, Mennie has a mature body that could see him avoid the injuries of his younger colleagues.

Chris Tremain
Seven wickets at 23 with an economy rate of 2.19 RPO from two matches

The Dubbo native was a menacing presence opening the bowling, gaining impressive pace, accuracy and movement off the pitch. His awkward delivery point with arms flailing in all directions could be a factor in throwing the concentration of the batsmen.

Tremain is only 25, still young, but perhaps past the point where his body is still developing and prone to injury. He will be competing for a spot in a Bushrangers line-up that could see a logjam of quality fast bowlers competing for only three spots – Pattinson, Peter Siddle, John Hastings and Scott Boland are all expected to be fit and fighting at the start of the domestic season.

Scott Boland and Daniel Worrall
Each played one match and could only manage two and three wickets respectively. Worrall impressed in spells with his pace and energy, and was considered unlucky to have only taken three wickets, but was also expensive at times.

Mitch Swepson
Nine wickets at 18.66 with an economy rate of 4.2

The young spinner caught the eye with his well flighted, big-turning leg breaks, and bagged an impressive 4-33 in the final innings of the second match to wrap up victory for the Aussies.

Swepson wasn’t economical, but then that is not the role of a leg spinner, is it?

The young man who has displaced Cameron Boyce from the Queensland Bulls team has a big future – let’s hope he focuses on his long-form bowling instead of the 50 and 20-over stuff, as we have seen in recent times that Australian spinners are finding it difficult to excel at both formats.