International Bright Young Things

Taken from Swinging Balls Magazine, published 10/07/2011

English cricket may well be at the best it has been for a number of decades. A first Ashes win in Australia since the 1980’s and the prospect of becoming the world’s number one Test nation sees the current crop of players being labelled as the new golden generation.

But all good things must come to an end, and the likes of Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson may not be international players come the next time the Ashes are played for Down Under. The good news for the ECB is that there is a wealth of talent currently coming through the county scene, and this season especially has seen the emergence and growth of some of the talented individuals who could push for international call-ups in the coming years.

Durham's Stokes has been on fire so far in 2011.

One of the most impressive performers this season has been Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes. The 19-year old began the season by almost replicating the great Garfield Sobers after he hit the first five balls of a Liam Dawson over for six. However, the sixth ball only yielded a single as he narrowly missed out on joining a select group of cricketers.

Despite that disappointment, he went on to record a century and take career best figures in the same match, as he started 2011 with a bang, and hasn’t really looked back since. He has been described as the new Andrew Flintoff, and you can see why. His swashbuckling batting style and his bowling ability would remind anyone of the Lancastrian, and it may only be a matter of time before he is at least given a chance in England’s limited overs side.

Another that has caught the eye this season is 17-year old Reece Topley of Essex. The tall left-armer began the season with a bang and, despite missing some matches due to him preparing for his A-Levels, he has performed at a consistently high level. The fact that he out-bowled South African international Lonwabo Tsotsobe during his time at the county is testament to the talent that he has already shown, and those that have seen him in the flesh have gone on record in saying that England could have a genuinely great fast bowler on their hands in years to come.

A man who has also shown the potential to play for the national side in the future is Yorkshire wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow. He came into this season without a first-class century, but some great form has seen him reach three figures twice already this season, including one score of over 200. A promising debut for the England Lions side against Sri Lanka underlined the fact that he is on the England selectors’ radar and could well be the long-term replacement for Matt Prior.

As well as the afore mentioned trio, the likes of Chris Woakes, James Harris and Simon Kerrigan have all impressed with the ball in hand, whilst Alex Hales and James Taylor have been amongst the runs in the opening months of the English domestic season. For the time being, there seems to be a limited amount of spaces in the national set-up, but if these players or any others continue their recent form, the selectors will have to sit up and take notice.

Bringing through talent is what keeps teams at the top of the rankings. The fact that Australia failed to bring in any new faces during their golden period could be seen as one of the reasons that they have had their recent fall from grace, and if England are to avoid something similar, then young in-form players must be given a chance on the biggest stage

England's future stars shine in Championship openers

High temperatures and large crowds greeted the start of the County Championship this week, and some exciting matches meant that those crowds may well be back for more throughout the season.

One of the main talking points was the early-season form of some of England’s brightest young cricketers. If these players continue their progression, then the future looks very bright for the national team.

The most eye-catching performance came from a man who has already tasted international honours. Adil Rashid’s match figures of 11-114 in Yorkshire’s nine-wicket win over relegation favourite’s Worcestershire served as a reminder to England’s selectors that he has the talents to step up into the test or one-day team if a second spinner was required to support Graeme Swann.  The amount of wickets that he took with his well disguised googly should give him the edge over some of his rivals, whilst his lower order batting also trumps that of James Tredwell, and if his form continues then he has a chance of featuring for Andrew Strauss’ team this summer.

Rashid gave a timely reminder to the England
selectors after picking up 11 wickets at New Road

Elsewhere in Division One, 19 year-old Ben Stokes made quite the impression with both bat and ball as he followed up career-best figures of 6-68 with an unbeaten 135 as Durham drew with Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. The New Zealand-born all-rounder had already played for the England Lions, and has been compared to Andrew Flintoff by some former players. He almost completed a remarkable match by hitting six sixes in an over, but after Liam Dawson’s first five deliveries were dispatched over the rope, the final ball only yielded a single.

In Division Two, Sam Northeast hit the first century of the Championship season against Essex at Chelmsford. His 112 proved to be a match-winning knock in a low scoring game between last year’s two relegated sides, and at 21 the future looks bright for a player who has been with Kent since the age of 13.

Northeast hit the first century of the 2011
Championship season

In opposition to Northeast was a teenager who surprised everyone over the weekend. 17-year old Reece Topley’s match figures of 7-114 were hugely impressive for someone making their Championship debut. At 6’7”, the left-armer has all the credentials to become an excellent bowler for both Essex and England.

Despite the impressive performances of many of England’s youngsters, some of the old guard showed that they weren’t ready to be upstaged quite yet.

Gerard Brophy’s innings of 177 not out proved to be the backbone of Yorkshire’s success, whilst Leicestershire captain Matthew Hoggard picked up his third career hat-trick in his side’s win against Glamorgan.

The second round of county fixtures begin on Thursday when last year’s top two sides, Nottinghamshire and Somerset, make their first appearances of the season, whilst Lords hosts its first match of the season as Middlesex take on Essex.