The A list – players who are ready and banging on the door.
Chris Lynn (Qld) 26, 2708 fc runs @ 44.39 (368 fc runs @ 36.80 in 15/16) Ok, it would be fair to say that I’ve had a boner for this bloke for some time. He’s the dog’s nuts and would surely come straight in if Voges retired, or any of the middle order sustained an injury. Lynn has been very unlucky with a couple of injuries.
Cameron Bancroft (WA) 23, 2494 fc runs @ 37.22 (732 fc runs @ 45.75 in 15/16) Cameron Bancroft would appear to be an opener in waiting. He was unlucky that the Bangladesh tour last year was called off. This kid has a big future.
Jason Behrendorff (WA) 26, 86 fc wkts @ 25.22 (9 fc wkts @ 22.22 in 15/16) Behrendorff’s season was once again ruined by injury. When fully fit, he is sensational. He’s going to be a star across a number of formats, I’m guessing.
Scott Boland (Vic) 27, 92 fc wkts @ 29.13 (33 fc wkts @ 23.93 in 15/16) Boland’s stocks rose rather sharply last season, culminating in a berth in the ODI squad. He plays district cricket for Frankston, so hopefully he doesn’t get car-jacked, or worse by living down that way.
Joe Mennie (SA) 27, 143 fc wkts @ 27.89 (51 fc wkts @ 21.21 in 15/16) Mennie is a transplanted New South Welshman who has been a revelation for SA. His call-up to the Aust A squad is well deserved. The leading wicket taker last season.
Sam Whiteman (WA) 24, 2058 fc runs @ runs @ 37.41 (377 fc runs @ 37.77 in 15/16) The only Pom on this list, Whiteman is the gloveman in waiting. He might have to wait a while, as pretty much most of his predecessors had to do. I’m a bit surprised that England didn’t come sniffing around.
The B list – players who are 12 months away or more.
Peter Handscomb (Vic) 25, 3225 fc runs @ 37.50 (784 fc runs @ 43.55 in 15/16) Handscomb seems to be the golden boy at the moment, especially now he has the armband for Oz A. David Saker raves about him, and I like him too. I just can’t see him getting a baggygreen until his fc averages rises above 40. A repeat of last years’ stellar season could see that happen.
Travis Head (SA) 22, 26.07 @ 33.00 (721 fc runs @ 36.05 in 15/16) Travis Head is a bit of a shooting star, but would seem to be out of the picture with a low career average. Still, he’s young and has years ahead of him, and bats at the Adelaide Oval for much of the season.
Jake Lehmann (SA) 24, 768 fc runs @ 42.66 (623 fc runs @ 44.50 in 15/16) The son of Boof actually looks very good. Keep an eye on this fella.
Kurtis Patterson (NSW) 23, 1702 fc runs @ 39.58 (737 fc runs @ 52.64 in 15/16) Absolutely carved it up for the Blues last season, this kid is another to keep an eye on.
Joel Paris (WA) 23, 35 wkts @ 19.57 This fella looks very promising.
Jordan Silk (Tas) 24, 1455 fc runs @ 30.95 I haven’t given up on Silk just yet. He was dropped by Tassie last season, and really needs to forget about opening. Has played for Aust A previously and is absolutely sublime in the field.
Oz team in 5 years;
Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja (v/c)
Chris Lynn
Steve Smith ©
Peter Handscomb
Mitchell Marsh
Sam Whiteman
Mitchell Starc
James Pattinson
Josh Hazlewood
Nathan Lyon
Kurtis Patterson
Travis Dean
Scott Boland
A quickie from NSW (sigh)
A spinner from NSW (sigh)
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