It was a magnificent day the Australian cricket public shouldn’t undervalue.
The Shield clash between New South Wales and Tasmania saw two young talents make an opposition bowling collective appear mediocre.
Australian cricket prodigies Jack Edwards and Jason Sangha were valiant with bat in hand. The Australian Under-19 representatives brought up elegant tons, which bolstered New South Wales’ batting efforts to finish up on a declared total of 9-442.
Edwards, 18, brought up his maiden first-class hundred, while teammate Sangha, 19, soared to his second first-class ton, his first coming a year ago in an Ashes tour game against England.
The pair put on a 180-run sixth wicket partnership, before the hard-hitting Edwards found Alex Doolan at deep mid wicket, finishing up on 101 off just 149 balls.
Desperate times called for desperate measures, whereby Sangha’s mature innings of 117 off 223 deliveries was claimed by the surprise bowling inclusion, Matthew Wade.
Edwards and Sangha’s boundary tallies of (10 fours, 2 sixes) and (10 fours, one six) respectively exposes both the fledgling New South Welshmen’s ability to consolidate, but also attack and accumulate runs freely.
Test spots, particularly for batsmen, have just become more competitive. Will Pucovski’s knock of 243 put him into national calculations, however a cruel setback of mental illness has landed the young Victorian on the sidelines indefinitely.
Queenslanders Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw are contesting for a baggy green opportunity, however the emergence of these youthful talents may narrow and shut down the chances of these fringe players aforementioned.
Players knocking on Trevor Hohns’ door, the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Moises Henriques – again spots are increasingly getting harder to come by.
Some cricket enthusiasts may wish for Jack Edwards to secure the everlasting debated number 6 spot. The selection panel may throw Edwards in the deep end, despite a lack of first-class experience. High-risk, high-reward some would say.
Trevor Hohns, Justin Langer and Greg Chappell – please continue to keep a close eye on the nursery of young talent. There is light at the end of the tunnel for Australian cricket.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Don't worry, I can't imagine the selectors will jump the gun too quickly. Unless one of these guys goes on from here almost unable to get out for less than 100 as the season progresses, and after failures in the first couple of tests they decide it's worth giving him a go. Otherwise, I reckon they will at least play out this full Shield season and starting the next, possibly with a selection in an Australia A side in the off season, before being seriously considered for test duty.
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
They play for NSW so they already have their baggy greens
john goerge
Guest
Ryan H, I can also see this top 6 playing out like this too, unfortunately. Marsh x 2 will be walking wickets and the indians will destroy them. Head will be good for a cheap 20 or so. Finch is falling apart. So Burns will keep scoring but will not get a look. Same as Doolan. It is sick to think the batting who failed so badly in UAE will be back for more in Aus. A long summer ahead.
AREH
Roar Guru
I think Renshaw will play, they'll go with both? Irrespective of order at this stage, I could see the top six containing Renshaw, Khawaja, S.Marsh, Finch, Head, M.Marsh
john goerge
Guest
Jon, Renshaw - an immense talent that SHOULD be picked. But will be overlooked for Shaun Marsh. Sdly the selectors will continue to pick a guy who is old and wont be around for the Ashes next year so what is the point? They have ZERO long sighted-ness in the selections. Labuschagne - should probably never play for Australia again. If he retains his spot after his disaster in UAE and rubbish Shield performances to date then we can confirm selections are done on who is mates with who.
Ozibatla
Guest
With todays game being so batsmen advantageous, one would think we would be struggling for talented bowlers not vice versa. This suggests to me that there is something fundamentally wrong with the upbringing of junior batsmen. I believe they are resting on their laurels due to the effect of 20/20 cricket along with a lack of stern ownership of their own results. This stems right through the various age groups and is a nation wide issue.
Jon Catania
Roar Rookie
Renshaw has proved his capability against world class attacks - a lot of upside. Would love to see him take on India this summer, again it will be dependant on whether they persist with Shaun Marsh as an opener or not.
Rellum
Roar Guru
There is some talent there. Not enough to get super excited about it. The real issue is that the national setup is betting the farm on these few kids. Maybe that will all work out, but the odds are stacked against it. Pucovski is the only one that looks the goods so far to me in the batting. Sangha, Edwards maybe. Renshaw is already there and should be in the Test team. He now needs to show he can get a hundred every 6 or so games and be a world class Test player he is capable of being.
Ozibatla
Guest
Plenty of talent? Not if you ask Ricky Ponting!
Paul
Roar Guru
I read your article with a mixture of excitement and dread. Yes, we have some players who show a lot of promise but I'm scared these guys will be pushed into the Test arena when neither they nor the Test team is ready. Australia's had a history of blooding young players and there's been some outstanding successes, eg Harvey, Walters, Ponting, etc, but on nearly every occasion, they've come into a Test side with a pretty settled batting lineup. I'd hate to see these guys figure in our line up till at least next season, given only Kawaja has a lock on their spot in the top 6 of the lineup. Let them prove they're not "one innings wonders", give the Australian side a chance to settle again, given Smith and co a chance to come back into the team if good enough, THEN lets look at these guys.
Jon Catania
Roar Rookie
Correct Ryan, I hope they can persist with blokes like Renshaw and Labuschagne - both exceptional talents. With the hotbed of young talent, it makes selection a lot more interesting now.
AREH
Roar Guru
It's pretty exciting, the raw talent with the bat runs seriously deep; especially within the 18-23 y.o bracket. NSW: J.Edwards, Sangha VIC: Pucovski, M.Short WA: Philleppe, Cartwright, Bosisto TAS: McDermott, Doran QLD: Renshaw (easy to forget how young he is), Heazlett, Wildermuth (all-round), Labuschagne SA: McInerney, Weatherald There is heaps to be excited about.