Australia have unearthed two potential Test batting gems in Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb, but there are also plenty more gifted youngsters coming up behind them in the Sheffield Shield.
Young batsmen are again flourishing in the Shield this summer after the competition was dominated by older batsmen for several years up until the 2015-16 summer.
Among the top 20 runscorers in the Shield this season, there are nine batsmen aged 25 or younger. That comes after last summer nine of the top 12 runscorers were aged 25 or younger.
This increase in scoring output by young Shield batsmen the past two seasons has seen the Test selectors finally hand opportunities to young batsmen. Renshaw (20 years old), Nic Maddinson (24) and Handscomb (25) all debuted this summer.
In the seven years previous to that, Australia had given Test debuts to 14 batsmen and only five of them had been younger than 2008. That situation was understandable because during this period there was a dearth of talented young batsmen in the Shield.
In the 2011-12 Sheffield Shield season, of the top ten runscorers, only two were batsmen younger than 25. The following summer, only three of the top ten were aged less than 25. In 2013-14, that number fell to just one, and in 2014-15, there also was just one.
Renshaw and Handscomb were two of the batsmen who led the renaissance of youth in the last Shield season. This summer it’s being furthered by the likes of Jake Lehmann, Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Ashton Turner, Travis Dean, Hilton Cartwright, and Travis Head.
The leading runscorer this season among that group is Lehmann, the 24-year-old son of Australian coach Darren Lehmann. After a breakout Shield campaign last summer, Lehmann has backed that up by making 576 runs at 52 this season. With 1740 runs at 47, the belligerent left-hander has the kind of impressive first-class record which could soon put him in Test contention.
The question is whether Lehmann’s cavalier approach would bring him unstuck at Test level. Lehmann’s South Australia teammate Head appears to be next in line for a Test batting spot based on a ringing endorsement recently from coach Lehmann.
Darren Lehmann said 23-year-old Head was “not far away” from making his Test debut, despite being overlooked for the large Test squad for India. While Head’s career first-class record is uninspiring – 3087 runs at 35 – he has been in solid touch the past two Shield seasons, making 1149 runs at 38, including four centuries.
More importantly, as far as his Test aspirations go, Head has shone in the ODI format. The Test selectors have shown time and again that they can be won over by ODI form.
In ten ODIs this summer, Head churned out 474 runs at 53, cementing his place in the 50-over team and vaulting him into Test calculations.
Fellow left-hander Patterson deserves to be before Head in the Test queue, but hasn’t had the chance to press his case via limited overs internationals.
Since the start of last summer, the tall 23-year-old from New South Welsh has made 1273 runs at 49 in the Shield. And last winter Patterson was outstanding for Australia A, making 247 runs at 62 in three first-class matches against South Africa A and India A.
In the same innings that Patterson made 81 against India A, Western Australia all-rounder Cartwright cracked 117. The 25-year-old must be feeling a bit confused after playing solidly on debut in the last Test of the summer only to be overlooked for India.
He’s made 506 runs at 39 in the Shield this season, taking his career first-class record to a very fine 1103 runs at 44, to go with 16 wickets at 44. I’ve written recently about the appeal of both Cartwright and his WA teammate Turner.
The 24-year-old Turner is having a cracking Shield season with 546 runs at 55. Then there’s gritty Victorian opener Dean, who is perfectly suited to the longest form of the game. The 25-year-old plays within his boundaries, in a manner similar to Renshaw, and is prepared to graft long and hard if need be.
That old-school approach has helped Dean to be the second-highest runscorer in the Shield over the past two seasons combined (behind only George Bailey), with 1320 runs at 41.
He and Harris add to Australia’s growing depth in the opening role, with the likes of Joe Burns and Cameron Bancroft also waiting in the wings.
Harris is a curious case. Six years ago he became the youngest Australian in history to make 150 in a first-class game.
Just 18 years old when he made a stunning 157 for WA against Queensland in just his third Shield match, Harris spent an incredible eight hours at the crease, showcasing great patience and circumspection.
Harris continued to play in this cautious style over the following five years but struggled badly. After his first six seasons of Shield cricket he was averaging only in the high 20s with the bat. Then he made the move to Victoria last winter and re-emerged with a new, far more attacking style.
From dour to dasher, Harris’ strike rate of 68 this season is the highest of any of the top ten runscorers.
Australia’s Test batting line-up remains a work in progress, but they are developing encouraging depth in young talent at the Shield level.
Don Freo
Guest
Khawaja would have done well...he is a different player than he was before. He is getting on top of his game. When Marsh scored a ton in the lead up, they just said, "Well, here's a known quantity over here...let's go for Shaun first." I'm sure Ussie will get a go if we need him.
bearfax
Guest
In part I agree with you Don. Short term stats are near useless and I've always said that, yet we have arguments a plenty for example that Khawaja cant handle spin on the sub continent after only four tests against Sri Lanka, and none against India and Pakistan on the sub continent. One thing of note though. Having Lyon and O'Keefe in the same team is lethal and actually seems to improve Lyons performances
Don Freo
Guest
These two games will have stats devotees getting it wrong again in the future...because stats don't cover important things. Next time we tour India, there will be people suggesting Hazlewood stays home because he took no wickets on this tour.
bearfax
Guest
Hey Don. Dont get me wrong. Head may turn out to be a great cricketer. But there are more impressive young batsmen around ...at this time. In a year it may well be very different. At his age he has years of development yet to go through. And no doubt you'll be cock a hoop with Lyon's 8 wicket haul in the present test in India. A great performance. I wonder if his success is having O'Keefe at the other end threatening his position. Its by far his best test innings by far. It may also be that the Indians are over watching O'Keefe and Lyon has got under their guard at the other end. No doubt about it. Lyon and O'Keefe bowling together are a lethal combination. Maybe Australian selectors need to consider retaining this combination for the Ashes. England may be lost trying to counter it.
Don Freo
Guest
This future Test captain will vindicate those of us who saw his cut-above-the-rest ability.
bearfax
Guest
I'm throwing in a few pearlers so that you can see how it feels having to deal with the logic of your arguments when you're off on a mission about someone who is obviously not up to par compared to others
Don Freo
Guest
This really inconsistent argument is unusual coming from you. Lehmann's project player is Ussie who followed him to Qld. How does he choose between Ussie and Head? Pick Marsh? This favourite son theory really belongs to the anons and the Robs of The Roar. You can do better than that. Did you know there is more than one selector and they actually go to Shield games?
bearfax
Guest
IMPRESSIONS Don. IMPRESSIONS. That's what I'm saying are near worthless unless the player produces. And as for the selectors choices, well they've hardly impressed over the years have they with some of their selections that the general public dont agree with, and then the general public are seen as right. Also interesting that Lehmann coached young Head from when he first came to first class cricket. Interesting how state bias affects decision making eg Rod Marsh and Western Australian players hmmmm
Don Freo
Guest
I hace said nothing about "looking good". Indeed, Head is not an elegant batsman. He is gritty and regularly comes up trumps when his back is against a wall. That's what selectors see. That's what I see. Stats do not have shades or tones.
bearfax
Guest
Don, looking good doesnt win matches. That's why I was against Shaun Marsh for so long. But he steadied his ship and upped his averages and became more reliable. I havent knocked him for quite some time now because he is regularly producing the goods, not just looking good. Its all very well to look good before the public and selectors, but if you dont have that 'X' factor that takes wickets or makes runs consistently, all the good looks mean nothing. Warner, Smith, Khawaja and now Renshaw, Handscomb and even Shaun Marsh are producing the goods. That's why they are in the test team, not because they looked good or performed admirably in one game
Andy Hill
Roar Pro
I wouldn't be giving up on Burns so quickly. He was dumped from the test team after 2 poor tests in Sri Lanka and has gone away and scored a load of runs at a good average in he shield. His test record is solid. He would be my number one backup opener if anything happens to one of the incumbents. As for Bancroft- his form right now is terrible. He is averaging in the mid 20s this season so he has a lot to do to get back into contention.
Bakkies
Guest
Bar the Italian match Owen has played a lot better since his Dad stepped down. Andy will be now coaching against him
Don Freo
Guest
It's an old argument but truth doesn't change. That's why it remains correct. Numbers are still the reliable go to for keyboard commentators but paid selectors will always look at the circumstances of the cricket. That's how it is and that's how it should be. Cricket nouse always trumps mathematics.
bearfax
Guest
This is an old argument Don. Again I suggest to you that outcomes are what this game is about. Its like commentators and the coach arguing Lyon bowled as well as O'Keefe in the recent test. That may be right, but its the outcome that is the most important issue and O'Keefe, as he consistently does, achieved a result superior to Lyon. Same applies to the question of Head vs Patterson. Head might LOOK good on many occasions but in the end its who scores the most runs per innings consistently. Statistics arent everything, I will agree. But they are vastly superior in judging a player by way of appearances and perceptions. That's why the batsmen with the best averages, play test cricket
Don Freo
Guest
That's the problem with stats only. He scored 750ish last season and over 400 this season having missed 2 games with Aussie duty (averages 42)... The thing is, match situations determine a style of innings. Last game he failed with a first ball duck in the first but SA was forcing the pace in the second and he got out. Two failures...average down. In previous games he has hammered a century and a couple of 50s which slipped them into winning positions. Last season, similarly, a few low scores going for quick runs slips an average down. Batting for a team can take an average from plus 40 to a still good average of 38. Selectors will select on the quality and circumstances of an innings not an isolated set of numbers. Context. This boy has a backbone...and will be a backbone for Oz.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Except Ronan has said that his average over the last two seasons has only been 38? Sure it's an improvement on his career average, but surely those aren't numbers that scream selection?
The Bush
Roar Guru
Bakkies, I agree with you, there's simply too much conflict of interest. Jake looks like a real prospect, but not ready yet. bearfax - all good mate, I've done it myself on occasion!
bearfax
Guest
No question Head started young though only a few months earlier than Patterson. Difference was he was playing in a team struggling for batsmen and was retained early whereas Patterson had to wait a few months later. But Patterson also has played some back to the wall innings and while the test players Smith and Warner, were absent, he assumed the head batsman role even above the erratic Maddinson. So there's little difference in the two players experience and age except Patterson's average is over 8 runs superior. The argument could be used with Lehmann who came in late, but then Lehmann has been outperforming Head over the past 2 years
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I can't believe that had anything to do with it, more they were looking for a young opening batsman, and Renshaw stepped up at just the right time so they thought he was worth a go.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I don't know that Boof being coach has hurt Jake at all. He's only in his second Shield season. He could have been in the mix after the Hobart test cleanout, but had a drop in form at just the wrong time, while other batsmen stepped up and performed. He'll definitely be in the mix, but often it comes down to not just scoring runs, but showing good form at the time the opportunity comes up.