And so the noughties have passed and a new decade dawns. Who will be the new names to shine in 2010 and beyond? An XI of likely stars is presented below, with all players, minus one exception, under 23 and that player (Khawaja) is only four weeks past his 23rd birthday. Some are already establishing themselves in international cricket, others beginning to make their mark in domestic cricket. Look out for them as they could become to the new decade what Ponting, Kallis, Pietersen, Laxman, Flintoff, Gilchrist, McGrath and Warne et al were to the past decade.
1. Adrian Barath (West Indies), Age 19 – A brilliant century on test debut at the Gabba followed directly on from an impressive contribution to Trinidad & Tobago’s march to the Champions League Final. The next West Indian batting star has arrived.
2. Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Age 21 – Picked mainly on the strength of his superlative 150 not out from 102 balls (including eight sixes) in a Pro 40 match against Worcestershire last summer, which I was fortunate enough to see. The tall right-hander could prove a suitable successor to Marcus Trescothick at the top of the England order in time.
3. Usman Khawaja (New South Wales), Age 23 – Pakistan born Khawaja is likely to become the first Muslim to represent Australia. He is certainly making waves for New South Wales, where he is firmly established at first drop in a powerful line-up. A possible outsider for the Ashes in November?
4. Virat Kohli (India), Age 21 – ODI and first-class averages in excess of 50 and increasingly mature performances for India in the current Tri-Series in Bangladesh suggest that Kohli is at the head of the queue to replace Sachin, Laxman or Dravid when they eventually raise their bat for the last time.
5. Umar Akmal (Pakistan), Age 19 – A brilliant start to his test career followed impressive displays in the World T20 and Champions Trophy. Looks an absolutely sparkling talent and certainly one to watch when Pakistan tour England in the summer.
6. Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia), Age 18 – The son of Geoff and brother of Shaun has had limited first-class exposure to date, but has already set pulses racing Down Under. An immensely powerful batsman who also bowls useful medium pace, Marsh is about to lead the Australian side in the under-19 World Cup.
7. Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Age 22 – The latest South African born player to qualify for England. The Somerset keeper qualifies in February and don’t be surprised to see him in the ODI team at least by the end of the year.
8. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), (Captain), Age 22 – Granted I am not really sticking my neck out on this pick. Left hand batsman and slow-left armer Shakib is already Bangladesh’s best player and captain, and will be looking to surprise England in the imminent home and away series’ in 2010.
9. Mohammad Aamer (Pakistan), Age 17 – The astonishingly talented Aamer is already an automatic pick for Pakistan in all formats and became the youngest bowler ever to take a five for in test history in the Boxing Day test at the MCG. The left arm quick evokes the great Wasim Akram and will be a serious danger to England’s batsmen in the summer.
10. Wayne Parnell (South Africa), Age 20 – The left arm quick could make an immediate impression if selected for the Johannesburg test. Even if he doesn’t, expect him to make the test side shortly, where Parnell will hope to repeat the wicket taking ability he has already displayed in the ODI and T20I arenas.
11. Kemar Roach (West Indies), Age 21 – The pick of the West Indian seamers in the recent series with Australia where he reassembled Ricky Ponting’s elbow. Roach should help play a key role in the renaissance of the West Indies cricket side over the coming years.
12th Man. Rory Hamilton-Brown (Surrey), Age 22 – Millfield educated Hamilton-Brown has just been appointed Surrey’s new captain at the age of 22. If all goes well, the hard-hitting middle order batsman and off-break bowler could be knocking on the England door in one to two years.
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