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.
Baggy_Green
Roar Pro
We have quite a few young ones stacking up at the moment IMO - this and the next few Shield seasons are going to be really exciting !! Have summed up the batting stocks here earlier - https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/09/24/its-time-for-australias-new-batsmen-to-shine/
CricGuru
Guest
Agreed Paul, Pucovski needs a couple of seasons of solid first class cricket before he should be considered. If his form continues, pick him then. There are two issues with the Oz side as i see it. The first is the ongoing saga of the "Marsh Experiment". It is so far beyond a bad joke, the selectors are the only ones still laughing. An all-rounder should only be selected if they are capable of holding a spot as both a batsman and a bowler, so for mine, that leaves Mitch out. The second issue is who should be picked? The best of the Shield batsmen - Ferguson, Lehmann, Burns, Handscomb, Maxi and Hughes all average around 40.0. Of those tried, in Test cricket, Handscomb has at least outperformed his Shield average. Maxi has underperformed by a long way, but seems to be on an upward trajectory. Here is my side for the first test: Finch, Khawaja (if fit), Renshaw, Maxi, Handscomb, Hughes (he plays like a traditional test batsman, so am prepared to take a punt), Paine, Starc, Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood (assuming all the bowlers are fit).
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Because he’s been hit in the head 3 times in a few years doesn’t mean he’s got a weakness Paul. Virat Kholi got hit in the head twice in a month a few years back, and I’m tipping he is one of the best at playing the short ball in world cricket
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Here we go again,optimism starts!! With all due respect david,your shield cricket is not up to the mark right now.Even those who perform in shield consistently fails in real time scenario(take holland). You need to fix up shield cricket first and make it what it was before. Or keep that optimism for another couple of decades that will keep dishing out more marshes,burns or holland.
Big Daddy
Guest
Its all good to have optimism . you could score 1000 runs in a season but you have look at what the current reason why we keep on failing. But if you don't get rid of the problem which is the marshes what's the point of scoring runs. We have have seen this season after season so nothing will change.
Paul
Roar Guru
That's four, what about the Abbott bouncer and the other two? My point is, if he has a weakness, why not work on it away from the high pressure of a Test arena?
AREH
Roar Guru
Between Pucovski, Doran, Heazlett, Philleppe and maybe a few others, the future looks exciting for batsmen in the long form. Renshaw still so young too.
Brasstax
Guest
Relax Roarers, it will be extremely difficult for the Indians to beat us at home at this present time. For one, as has been stated by some already, the absolute highways that we prepare will neutralize our batting frailties. Barring the 2011 tour the Indian batsmen have made lots of runs here thanks to all round contributions. Even the last time they were here the likes of Vijay, Rahane, Kohli and Pujara made lots of runs. However barring Kohli all Indian batsmen are either out of form or inexperienced. It was virtually Kohli versus the entire England team just recently. Let me explain why I think the way i do. Vijay who did vrry well last tour is out of form and with the emergence of Prithvi Shaw he is unlikely to feature in the starting XI in the first couple of tests if at all he is picked in the squad. Rahane cannot buy a run at the moment and looks a shadow of the batsman who averaged 45 plus across his first 25 odd innings all outside Asia. He must be under tremendous pressure to step up and take some load off Kohli after coming a cropper in England. Pujara is solid but hardly scores at a rate that can damage the opposition. He needs an overall solid team batting effort to make an impact. KL Rahul who is seriously talented and some believe even more so than Kohli himself is also under pressure. He is likely to partner Shaw at the top at least in the first 2 tests. The problem with Rahul.is his inconsistency. He is all rocks or diamonds much like Sean Marsh. He already has 5 test 100s but almost no score of note otherwise. He also came a cropper in England where he was supposed to announce his arrival on the world stage and under pressure to repay Shastri's and Kohli's faith. Shaw is too inexperienced and Pant is going to get out multiple times hooking/pulling the short ball. If we get 250 or 300 in the first innings and get Kohli out cheaply we should win the series 2-0. By the way, Kohli is due for a poor series according to the law of averages.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yeah, in those days we had guys like Waugh, Ponting, Waugh, Hayden, Slater, Taylor in. They were tough to dislodge
Peter
Roar Rookie
I remember the days when most batsmen would have to score mountains of runs before getting a chance to play for the national team. Matt Hayden for example. I guess Chris Rogers will be the last of those. Now it's all about promising youngsters and PONIs. A good season, some decent knocks, the selectors favourite, and you're in.
David Schout
Expert
Most of his concussions actually haven't been from bouncers, Paul. There's been one from footy, one from hitting a door, one from fielding and one from an errant ball in the nets.
Paul
Roar Guru
Pucovski has been concussed 7 times which implies he has a flaw in his technique, whether it's getting inside the rising ball or what ever. In any event, he needs to get this sorted out before he goes to Test level. That means he plays Shield cricket this season and gets himself over to England to play some County cricket before the side to play in the Ashes is announced. Assuming he continues to progress, he should be considered for that tour, as a development exercise. You don't bring an inexperienced batsman into an unsettled Test side; that's setting him up to fail. As for Pope, he bowled one very good wrong 'un to a number 9 batsman in a spell of 1 for 55 off 9 overs. Match figures of 1 for 105 off 27 suggest he has a very long way to go to reach Test level.
Peter Zitterschlager
Roar Guru
Love the look of Pucovski