The understudies in the spotlight
Alagappan Muthu
05-Aug-2015
It may not attract a large crowd but the ongoing A-team tri-series between the second string India, Australia and South Africa sides is a chance for future prospects to step into the limelight. A few have played international cricket but are still short of cementing their place in the senior sides and will look for strong performances in the tournament to beef up their resume. Here are six players to watch for in the series.
James Pattinson
Getting into the Australian pace attack is no easy task, but Pattinson is capable of carving a spot for himself in all formats. The outswinger is a specialty and the senior team's fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott already points out the 25-year-old as an example of how to present a pristine seam. With pace, bustle and bounce, all he needs to do is keep away from injury. His back and hamstring have been constant barriers to his progress.
Getting into the Australian pace attack is no easy task, but Pattinson is capable of carving a spot for himself in all formats. The outswinger is a specialty and the senior team's fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott already points out the 25-year-old as an example of how to present a pristine seam. With pace, bustle and bounce, all he needs to do is keep away from injury. His back and hamstring have been constant barriers to his progress.
Chris Lynn
One of the options for the middle-order for Australia. The 25-year old is a hard-hitting batsman, with a knack for the finisher's role. He has quite a resume in T20 cricket - Brisbane Heat's top-scorer in the Big Bash League has IPL and Caribbean Premier League experience and is a spectacular fielder as well. His first-class credentials show that he isn't a one-trick pony - Lynn struck a century at the age of 19 for Queensland and currently averages 45 with a highest score of 250.
One of the options for the middle-order for Australia. The 25-year old is a hard-hitting batsman, with a knack for the finisher's role. He has quite a resume in T20 cricket - Brisbane Heat's top-scorer in the Big Bash League has IPL and Caribbean Premier League experience and is a spectacular fielder as well. His first-class credentials show that he isn't a one-trick pony - Lynn struck a century at the age of 19 for Queensland and currently averages 45 with a highest score of 250.
Eddie Leie
South Africa A captain Dean Elgar gave a strong recommendation of his country's spin resources and said some of the new ones have "taken to international cricket like duck to water." Legspinner Eddie Leie belongs to that group - his 3 for 16 against Bangladesh in July was the best by a South African on T20 debut. His natural preference for flight and a handy googly mark him as an attacking option and not just a bowler to hold an end while the quicks do the work.
South Africa A captain Dean Elgar gave a strong recommendation of his country's spin resources and said some of the new ones have "taken to international cricket like duck to water." Legspinner Eddie Leie belongs to that group - his 3 for 16 against Bangladesh in July was the best by a South African on T20 debut. His natural preference for flight and a handy googly mark him as an attacking option and not just a bowler to hold an end while the quicks do the work.
Reeza Hendricks
He wears the number 17 jersey, usually sported by AB de Villiers, and bats rather like the man he might hope to replace in the Test side - Alviro Petersen. Hendricks began his career as a middle-order batsman but the lack of a good option at the top for Eagles (now renamed Knights) in 2009 forced him to adapt and it could well prove his best shot at making it to the South African Test side. A pleasant batsman off the front foot, he might want to be quicker in moving back to bouncers.
He wears the number 17 jersey, usually sported by AB de Villiers, and bats rather like the man he might hope to replace in the Test side - Alviro Petersen. Hendricks began his career as a middle-order batsman but the lack of a good option at the top for Eagles (now renamed Knights) in 2009 forced him to adapt and it could well prove his best shot at making it to the South African Test side. A pleasant batsman off the front foot, he might want to be quicker in moving back to bouncers.
Sanju Samson
Samson fulfills the definition of a batsman-wicketkeeper, which seems to be what India want. But for all the buzz Samson has generated about his potential, he is yet to be viewed as a consistent player. Even in T20 cricket, the format that brought him to the spotlight, his strike rate is only 118. On his India debut against Zimbabwe, he fell for 19 when the match was in the balance. At 20, time is on his side to make the necessary adjustments.
Samson fulfills the definition of a batsman-wicketkeeper, which seems to be what India want. But for all the buzz Samson has generated about his potential, he is yet to be viewed as a consistent player. Even in T20 cricket, the format that brought him to the spotlight, his strike rate is only 118. On his India debut against Zimbabwe, he fell for 19 when the match was in the balance. At 20, time is on his side to make the necessary adjustments.
Karn Sharma
A possible contender for the second spinner's slot in the India's limited-overs line-up. Karn doesn't get much turn, tends to cut down on his flight and is most concerned with protecting runs. With the batsman needing to make the play in 50- and 20-over matches, those tactics can bring success. Against players comfortable tackling spin, and in Test cricket, where success hinges on skill rather than the opposition's mistakes, he has a lot more work to do.
A possible contender for the second spinner's slot in the India's limited-overs line-up. Karn doesn't get much turn, tends to cut down on his flight and is most concerned with protecting runs. With the batsman needing to make the play in 50- and 20-over matches, those tactics can bring success. Against players comfortable tackling spin, and in Test cricket, where success hinges on skill rather than the opposition's mistakes, he has a lot more work to do.
Alagappan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo