In a week where Australia’s batting deficiencies were again laid bare in the UAE, the exploits of two young guns in the West showed that the future, at least, is bright.
Given the flimsy hold some of Australia’s top six have on their current spots, it mightn’t be too long before one of them is donning a baggy green.
Will Pucovski’s imperious knock of 243 against Western Australia underlined why the Victorian has been, for some time, touted as the oft-cursed ‘next best thing’. That his first two Shield centuries read 188 and 243 is perhaps the most pleasing aspect of his recent achievements, emphasising the immense value he places on his wicket – a characteristic seen lacking in the national setup for some time.
He became just the ninth player at Shield level to pass 200 before turning 21, joining the likes of Don Bradman, Doug Walters and Ricky Ponting.
While his first-class career is just seven games old, it seems the only knocks on Pucovski are physical ones, with a history of concussions that became even more worrisome after another blow from a Sean Abbott bouncer in March.
The 20-year-old maintains the impact of multiple blows are “over-exaggerated a bit”, and that he hasn’t felt different at the crease each time he has returned from concussion.
The summer’s domestic schedule means Pucovski can give himself a real chance of earning a baggy green against India. Cricket Australia has altered Shield fixtures this season and allowed for five games before the first test in Adelaide.
Tim Paine’s national side has some selection decisions to make. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
This contrasts with last season, where just three games were scheduled before the Ashes. The extra games gives Pucovski the potential of eight more innings to prove his case before the India series. Should he peel off more big scores, there will be significant pressure on the selectors to expose him to the highest level early.
Some, like fellow Victorian Rob Quiney have urged caution and to “just let the kid play”. Others, including former selector Jamie Cox, has already said Pucovski should play in Adelaide.
Another youngster who shone this week is 21-year-old West Australian Josh Philippe. In trying circumstances against Victoria, Philippe struck a superb maiden ton against an experienced attack in just his fifth first-class match.
I’d heard little about Philippe until 12 months ago, when England stepped onto the pitch for their first pre-Ashes tour game against a WA XI in Perth. Opening the batting, the baby-faced youngster hit Stuart Broad, James Anderson and co to all parts of the WACA in a devastating innings.
It wasn’t even the fact that he raced to 88 by lunch, but the manner of his strokeplay against some of modern cricket’s best seamers. Having not opened since juniors, his positive disregard for who was charging at him from 22 yards was refreshing and exciting.
Josh Philippe – pictured here in the BBL – has also been making waves. (Photo: Jason McCawley/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
While Pucovski is perhaps defined by his concentration and balance at the crease, Philippe has shown a willingness to attack from the outset, ala David Warner.
Arriving at the crease in the first innings this week with WA struggling at 4-42, he plundered 41 off 27. His second innings knock of 104 (141) was more measured, but still ticked along at a healthy rate.
Unlike Pucovski, we’re unlikely to see Philippe in Australian colours this summer, but keep an eye on him during the Big Bash.
While that pair shone in Perth this week, the recent JLT One Day series also gave a glimpse into what we can expect for the future.
Jake Weatherald again showed why an Australian call-up in white ball ranks is just around the corner, while teenagers Max Bryant (QLD) and Jack Edwards (NSW) showed glimpses of brilliance.
But it wasn’t just batsmen grabbing the headlines this week.
Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope, the long-locked redhead who shot to fame for his incredible 8/35 in the U19 World Cup earlier this year, also made his Shield debut for South Australia. Despite copping some punishment from the New South Wales batsmen, Pope’s devastating wrongun to trap Steve O’Keefe leg before sent cricket tragics giddy.
Unlike Pucovski, Pope shouldn’t be anywhere near the selection table for the next 12 months. Australian selectors should use the Mason Crane experiment at the SCG as a case study in why blooding young wrist spinners early can be counterintuitive.
Test great Steve Smith is to play for Washington Freedom in the second season of Major League Cricket as the Australian influence in the…
Nathan Lyon has revealed his disappointment that Australia's cricket chiefs have prevented him from playing his first full season of county cricket in England…
Some of you may have watched the recent Fox Sports Series 'A Brief History of Australian Cricket: the Eighties'. If not, I’d definitely recommend…
Nathan Lyon's spell with English county Lancashire has been halved as Cricket Australia looks to protect the fitness of the star spinner. The Australian,…
Cricket Australia insists Optus Stadium can replace the Gabba as the men's Test team's new fortress after handing Perth the first match against India.…
It's no longer about how many runs score individually - it is about the team's ability to win Test in pressure moments.
