At the time of writing we’re just halfway through the Matador Cup, but already the tournament has delivered the goods in terms of drama and star performances.
With our ODI squad in South Australia, chances for young campaigners to strut their stuff have been thick and fast. The Cricket Australia XI – comprised of the best young talent not selected by their states – have been a far more competitive outfit, so without further adieu, here’s an XI of the best young-stars in the country you’d probably not heard of until two weeks ago.
1. Arjun Nair – 18, NSW
18-year-old Nair is a name to remember. He’s been chosen to open in this side, although he only got promoted here from number eight in his sides last match against Victoria where he top-scored for the match with 67 (89).
They call him “the YouTube kid” as this is where he learned to bowl his countless off-spin variations. He’s second in the competition for wickets at the moment with seven at an average of 23.85, which shows his allround credentials. Small in stature but a future giant of the world game.
2. Matt Renshaw – 20, Queensland
It says a lot when despite retiring hurt midway through his second innings, Renshaw is still the fourth highest run-scorer for Queensland despite having played 2.5 less innings then his teammates.
Queensland’s leading run-scorer in Shield cricket last year, some questioned whether his patient demeanour would translate to the 50-over game, but his answer his critics with scores of 88 and 38* at a strike-rate of 82 in his two appearances.
Unfortunately for the classy left-hander, he looks unlikely to play any further part in the tournament after injuring his knee – let’s hope it doesn’t cost him too much cricket this season.
3. Ryan Gibson – 22, NSW
Gibson can consider himself unlucky to be have been overlooked by NSW after being usurped in the pecking order by more experienced campaigners in his second season in the pros. He’s a classy right-hander with all the shots and the kind of poise reminiscent of Michael Clarke. It’s no surprise they’ve both been taught the game by the same coach.
Scored a ton on List A debut, and backed this up with a score of 97 against the star-ladden NSW blues. He’s the competition’s leading run-scorer at the halfway point, and also a gun in the field. Expect to see him in the whites making a Shield debut this summer.
4. Will Bosisto – 23, WA
Bositsto seems like he’s been around forever, amd he kind of has. He debuted for WA back in 2012 but has yet to lock down a regular spot in their XI. 2016 could be the year it changes.
Another classy right-hander, he’s a smart cricketer who understands the game well. He’s scored 202 runs from his four innings to-date in the competition while Captaining the CA XI well. He also bowls some handy off-spin, and while he probably wouldn’t get any overs in this line-up, he’s better then most batsman at the craft.
5. Marnus Labuschagne – 22, QLD
Probably one of the surprise packets for the table-topping Queenslanders at the moment is young Marnus – the man best known for his heroics as a substitute fielder in a Test some years ago.
If Lynn and Khawaja were available, it’s questionable whether or not Marnus would be in the side, but he’s taken his chances with two half-centuries, including an unbeaten 73* from 63 deliveries against South Australia.
6. Josh Inglis (wk) – 21, WA
Probably the hardest spot to fill in the side is the ‘keeper’s position, but with one half-century to his name already in the competition, WA’s Josh Inglis gets the nod.
Originally from Yorkshire, Inglis is your prototypical modern ‘keeper who is aggressive with the bat and capable of coming in at any time for is side. He slayed NSW to the tune of 54 (50) and looks like a handy bit of talent.
7. Jason Floros – 25, QLD
It’s probably a bit unfair putting him in here given his experience and standing as Captain of his state, but Floros has come of age this year and is probably unrivalled in the “most improved” stakes at the minute.
A left-handed batter, he’s been there to hit the winning runs a couple of times already this tournament – with three not outs already to his credit and a top score of 68*. He’s an adaptable cricketer, and also acts as the second spin option for his side where his wily off-spinners always prove hard to get away.
8. Cameron Valente – 22, South Australia
South Australia’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker through the halfway mark of the tournament – and few would’ve predicted this. The right-handed batter and bowler is no frills – he bowls stump t stump medium pace and can put away the bad ball with the bat, without really boasting extraordinary power.
With seven wickets at an average of 17, he’s one of the tournament leaders in this category, with his bowling definitely his strong point at the moment.
9. Hamish Kingston – 25, Tasmania
The big Tasmanian has been around for a couple of seasons now, after re-entering top flight cricket for his home state. Closer to medium than an out-and-out pace bowler, Kingston is unnervingly accurate and has one of the best economy rates in the competition. His ability to tie batters down is critical in his sides defensive bowling which allows the spinners to take wickets.
He’s no mug with the bat either, and showed great power in his only innings of the competition so far in scoring 39 (28) before being cruelly run-out backing up at the non-strikers. A super talented cricketer.
10. Brendan Doggett – QLD
A late call-up to the CA XI, Doggett is a quick bowler and the reigning Lord Taverners Cricketer of the Year, in honour of his standing as the nation’s top cricketer of Indigenous decent.
An out-and-out quick, Doggett’s been solid in his appearances so far for the CA XI, taking four wickets from three matches at a strike-rate of 36.
11. Xavier Bartlett – 17, QLD
The youngest player in this year’s tournament, Bartlett was another late call-up to the CA XI. The big Queenslander is a quality prospect – tall, strongly built, and able to generate good movement with the ball.
Boasting the scalps of Ed Cowan and Nic Maddinson from his Matador debut against NSW, it looks to be the start of a long list of victims of this promising pace bowler.
12. Darcy Short – 26, WA
Short’s in here more on potential than promise to-date. A hard-hitting left-handed batsmen and chinamen bowler, Short was a late inclusion as an injury replacement in the WA squad, but did enough in his side’s practice games in order in order to usurp Ashton Turner in the pecking order.
Scored 52 from only 43 balls against Victoria and has also bowled ten overs for one wicket in two innings in the tournament.
13. Simon Milenko – 27, Tasmania
Just missed out. Another allrounder who can bowl at anytime in the innings and hit a long ball. Only batted once so far in the tournament for 40 from 41, and has four wickets at an average of 25 with his medium pace.
