The national selectors are well aware of Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, and Kurtis Patterson’s batting ability, which is why they’ll all be on duty for the Cricket Australia XI at Hobart over the next three days.
The game will be the Sri Lankans’ only warm-up for the two-Test series at The Gabba and Manuka.
Pucovski (20), the bolter in the Australian Test squad, first came to notice with an unbeaten 207 for the Vics under 23 side against West Australia’s under 23s.
That earned him his first of only eight Sheffield Shield games where’s he’s already cracked 243 against the West, 188 against Queensland and 67 in the return clash with the West.
The cynics are saying those three digs make a huge hole in his career 588 at 49, so consistency isn’t his forte.
But that’s the point.
When Pucovski gets a start he goes on with it, and while he’s at it, he remains a patient stroke-maker – not a six-hitter.
Sangha (19) is the same.
He first came to attention when NSW signed him up in 2017 while he was still at school.
When he became the second youngest to Sachin Tendulkar to score a first-class century against England at Townsville, Sangha was on the way in a hurry.
Sangha was 18 years and 71 days when he scored 133 off 226 that day, compared to Tendulkar’s unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990, when he was 17 years and 107 days.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Since then Sangha has scored 117 off 161 for NSW against Tasmania as a permanent fixture in the Shield side.
Patterson (25), burst onto the first-class scene in 2011 with 157 off 187 on debut for NSW against the West in 2011, when he was 18 years and 206 days old.
Then came the drought, but recovery to career figures of 3813 at 41.
This Shield season Patterson has been back to his best with 428 at 47.55.
So Will Pucovski, Jason Sangha, and Kurtis Patterson have a lot to offer, but as they well know, firing when given the representative chance is the only alternative.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Hang on, the KPI is scoring 30s, so the selectors are doing exactly that.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
jamesb: Not at all Jimmy. Why would it? KP has been a consistently above average SS performer for most of his career, if he got a BG I'd have no complaints. The only negative things one could say about KP are that he doesn't yet have a daddy Shield hundred and tends to get out after getting a good start. But even so, he's done enough to be near the front of the queue, unlike the over-hyped Sangha.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Bowling lack penetration. With tremain, bird & sayers should have played. Don't know from where boland came there. Nice batting from young doran, patterson got a good 50,but needs to be more careful not to throw starts.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I don't think Sangha's technique itself is bad, it's more the way he's electing to play the ball. His forward defence is actually really good - plays the ball nice and late.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Patterson did play a few loose strokes when he was around the 40 mark, like he lost concentration for a bit. You can kind of see why he doesn't always go on. I'd still have him in my team though. Once he got through that he was excellent.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Head has averaged over 40 across his last three Shield seasons, he wasn't a terrible pick in the circumstances.
TheTruth
Guest
Well..the more you know. A shame for the established bats. Excuse me whilst i go wipe this egg off my face.
Rob
Guest
3 Queensland boys batted first 3 and then the young Victorian before the NSW boys came in? Suspensions of a cunning plan by the blue baggers for me. The average for any batsmen batting first in the top 3 on this is 10.8 runs. Bloody conspiracy.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
You've pulled the trigger too early there mate. The rules of this match are that teams cannot bat for longer than 75 overs - CA XI had no choice but to declare.
TheTruth
Guest
That declaration is a GD awful decision. You have two young FC cricketers, one who is renowned for not going big, settled and well on track for his first double in FC cricket (this is already his highest FC score at any format). These are the type of innings which can mold a player. Instead Burn is hoping Aus can bowl out SL reasonably quickly and get a second dig to impress himself. Terrible captaincy.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Great ton by Doran, too, he's played both pace and spin really well. Some lovely sweeps. CA XI finishes on 5-316 declared with Patterson 157* and Doran 102*
JamesH
Roar Guru
It should at least be four days to ensure that each side gets two substantial innings.
Joneys8
Roar Rookie
Yep dealt woth the swinging ball confidently earlier. Looks a real find, pucovski impressed also. The Queenslanders choked yet again unfortunately
Joneys8
Roar Rookie
THIs is a genuine question guys - can Australia call up Patterson to the squad for the first test or has it now been fully submitted and unable to be changed? He looks great.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Patterson cutting loose now – 33 from his last 15 balls including 7 boundaries. Now 139no
Rob
Guest
Yep. He looks all class.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Gee that was a lovely lofted drive by Doran to bring up his 50. I know he has a poor FC record but there's something about him I really like I think he could become a Test prospect in another 2-3 years - he's still only 22 years old.
jamesb
Roar Guru
N.S.W. batsman Kurtis Patterson is currently 102* and top scorer so. That's gotta burn you inside qwetzen...
Rellum
Roar Guru
Completely agree
Rellum
Roar Guru
You act like they are rational.