Who's the best U-25 Test Player?

[Dissector]

In terms of achievement it's Cook, Bravo and AB.

In terms of potential it's Mendis all the way. Most impressed with the way he came back with two wickets after lunch today after being demolished by Sehwag in the morning. Showed he has character as well as talent. Going forward IMO the issue isn't so much whether batsmen will read him better (some of them surely will but he will still get plenty of wickets) but whether he can maintain the combination of insane variety and accuracy in the future. If he can consistently produce the quality of bowling he has shown so far I have no doubt he will become at least a very good test bowler.

 

[Burgey]

Bravo currently, of those listed. One of those guys who make things happen on the field. Enjoy watching him play.

 

[Flem274*]

Holy **** had no idea some of them were so young.

 

[sanga1337]

Mendis is potentially the best IMO. Has already performed extremely well on debut and his second match getting 14 wickets against India. Imagine what he is going to do to the weaker teams.

Out of who has actually achieved the most in their career so far I would have to go with Cook and Bravo

 

[Jakester1288]

Mendis, Cook, Taylor, De Villiers, Sharma and Chawla are all good players with potential, and hopefully all of them suceed. Sad to see that Australia have none under 25. We have no future in the current crop of players, except for Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson (who is dire anyway).

 

[Burgey]

Mendis, Cook, Taylor, De Villiers, Sharma and Chawla are all good players with potential, and hopefully all of them suceed. Sad to see that Australia have none under 25. We have no future in the current crop of players, except for Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson (who is dire anyway).

Can't agree with you there mate.

One of the products of sustained success is that it's hard for a young player to force their way in early in their career. Guys like Boon and Steve Waugh, as well as Dean Jones came in at a low point when Australia was not doing well. Sure they all had obvious potential, but they only got the opportunity to show that potential so soon because the side was doing badly.

Contrast that with the 1990s and 2000s where guys like Lehmann, Siddons, Love, Hayden, Martyn, Hussey, even M Waugh and Gilly had to wait until they'd scored thousands of FC runs before getting, if not a game, then at least a sustained run in the side, if they got one at all. It wasn't that they weren't ID'ed and recognised early, it's just that the fellas who were there - Taylor, Slater, AB, S Waugh, Boonie, Healy et al were doing a good enough job for the side, which was also winning most of the time.

Same for some of the bowlers - McDermott came in at 19 I think, but he was no where near ready for tests. Even Merv Hughes was considered "a joke" by no less than Ian Chappell for the first few years of his career. They tried Greg Campbell but he wasn't up to it, then of course they found Warne, McGrath and Gillespie who provided sustained excellence, with great back up from guys like Bichel and Kaspa, with Lee in his first few tests also bowling well before he hurt his elbow in Perth v WI.

I guess what I mean is I'd rather have a side sans under 25s that's winning than one which has a high ratio of them but is inconsistent. Indeed, one might argue that having not too many youngsters coming in at once helps the consistency of the side.

That, of course, doesn't mean you just don't pick them, and a real stand out youngster like a Ponting or a Clarke will find their way in. But, playing so young comes at the price of learning your game on the job, and therefore a greater likelihood of loss of form and getting dropped. People often lament Hussey having to wait, but his FC record when younger wasn't that great, while Stuart Clark is unquestionably a better bowler now than at 24 or 25 (he was also hampered by injury TBF).

If seasoned players are getting the job done, there isn't the need to blood too many youngsters at once.

 

[Dissector]

Yeah, Australia hasn't really needed to try young players much. They just have to improve their game at the first-class level and enter the international arena battle-ready like Hussey and Clark. Of course that will probably change in the next few years as they search for that elusive spinner and third seamer.

 

[silentstriker]

Mendis just keeps on keepin' on. It would be fantastic if he can take some of that form overseas.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Yeah, Australia hasn't really needed to try young players much. They just have to improve their game at the first-class level and enter the international arena battle-ready like Hussey and Clark. Of course that will probably change in the next few years as they search for that elusive spinner and third seamer.

Spinner yes - seamer no. Easily in the top two for fast bowling stocks in the world IMO.

 

[Richard]

Debateable TSTL.

 

[Goughy]

Debateable TSTL.

Well one would assume SA would be the other team.

So after that who would be competing?

England have a decent amount but few special

India have lots but noone has stood out yet

After that it gets thin

 

[Richard]

I guess you could say Asif doesn't qualify because of the numerous doubts about him currently but if he did, I'd say Pakistan were probably stronger.

Australia really do currently have Clark and Lee and that's it. Certainly not unquestionably second after SA in the seam stocks.

 

[silentstriker]

Well one would assume SA would be the other team.

So after that who would be competing?

England have a decent amount but few special

India have lots but noone has stood out yet

After that it gets thin

I guess you could say Asif doesn't qualify because of the numerous doubts about him currently but if he did, I'd say Pakistan were probably stronger.

Australia really do currently have Clark and Lee and that's it.

By the way, have either/both of you been watching Mendis this series? Just interested in other people's opinions - I think I may be biased when it comes to him.

 

[Richard]

Sadly not - I damn well would be if I could, have said he seems a remarkable prospect for a little while now.

 

[Manee]

Sadly not - I damn well would be if I could, have said he seems a remarkable prospect for a little while now.

You don't have Zee Cinema?!

 

[aussie]

You got to pay for that & i doubt whether most sky subscribers would..

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Jerome Taylor up there surely. 24 years old.

 

[Uppercut]

Jerome Taylor up there surely. 24 years old.

Yeah, should have been mentioned. Forgot about him. Wouldn't have picked him as the best under-25 player myself, though.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yeah, should have been mentioned. Forgot about him. Wouldn't have picked him as the best under-25 player myself, though.

Not THE best, obviously. But deserves a mention. Ponting would've mentioned him.

 

[Richard]

You don't have Zee Cinema?!

Never even heard of, ITBT.

I am however astounded that India agreed to a series that was being televised on Zee. Given their absolute rejection of everything ICL in other areas.