Cricket Australia’s 20 men’s stars of the future including ambidextrous gun Nivethan Radhakrishnan

A player who can bowl both left and right handed and a gentle giant with the physical attributes of a rugby player are just some of the exciting talents Australian cricket can dream on for the future.

Australia is plotting to unleash an ambidextrous phenomenon on world cricket with the potential to turn the international game on its head.

A million miles from the cricketing spotlight this week in Mackay, Tasmanian all-rounder Nivethan Radhakrishnan is continuing his meteoric rise through the ranks as perhaps the most unique x-factor the sport could ever see.

Radhakrishnan starred for Australia at the recent under 19s World Cup and is again proving one of the players’ to watch at the national under 19s carnival in northern Queensland with his freakish ability to bowl spin with both arms.

Nicknamed “Dex”, the Chennai-born-Tasmanian teenager is first and foremost an opening batsman of serious potential. But it’s his mercurial ability to change from right to left arm – and still turn the ball – that has Australian officials salivating.

The presence of a genuine all-rounder in Cameron Green at No.6 has proven a turning point for the Australian Test team because of the flexibility it provides selectors. But Radhakrishnan possesses a versatility which – if he kicks onto senior international level – could change the game forever and make him every captain’s fantasy.

Tasmania recognised his rare talent and gave him a Sheffield Shield debut against NSW a few weeks ago, and Radhakrishnan started his under 19s campaign in Mackay by taking three match-winning wickets against ACT-NSW Country.

Cricket Australia development chief Graham Manou said he has never seen a player in his time with Radhakrishnan’s ability to bowl both arms.

“Not to that level of quality, no way,” Manou told News Corp.

Nivethan Radhakrishnan is revolutionising cricket

“I’ve seen guys be able to do it for a certain amount of time and in environments where there’s low pressure.

“What he’s been able to show has been pretty extraordinary and it speaks a little bit to his commitment and willingness to grow.”

So determined is Radhakrishnan to change the game at international level, he said in an interview with cricket.com that he would never give up bowling with both arms, having picked it up naturally when he was just five years of age.

Even if pressure comes on him to choose, Radhakrishnan says he won’t.

“I’m not like other kids, or other people or other cricketers. I’m not better or worse, but I am different,” said Radhakrishnan, whose cricketing idol is a man more than four times his age – Sir Garfield Sobers – due to the amount of video he’s watched on the West Indian great with his father.

“There’s nothing that’s going to stop me from bowling with both hands. It’s me.

“I’ve done it enough now I literally I can’t … I can’t go to bed now thinking one day I have to give up with one hand. No.

“if there is a reason why I should give up with one hand I’m going to take that reason and say ‘go away mate, I don’t need you’, and I’m going to go to the nets until my arm falls off.”

But Manou warned the ambidextrous spin is a luxury to Radhakrishnan’s main skillset.

“I think it’s his ability to bat, not only time, but against the turning ball that’s something which has been identified for some time now,” said Manou.

“He’s going to be one to keep an eye on. Naturally there will be some interest in him because of his ability to bowl with both arms, but I think in the short-term, the batting and possibly his right-arm off-spinner are going to be the ones that get him selected as he continues to develop the left-armers as well.”

Here are the other emerging talents to watch at the men’s and women’s under 19s carnivals:

WILL PILKINGTON (Northern Territory)

Mandatory testing by Cricket Australia revealed Pilkington has a heart condition he never knew about it which could have gone undetected.

Pilkington is a talented all-rounder from the Darwin Cricket Club, and mandatory testing after being selected for the 2019 under 15s national championships led to the diagnosis which he nor has under control.

JAXON TREUMER (Northern Territory)

At just 15 years of age, Treumer is one of the youngest players in this year’s tournament and the youngest in the NT squad.

The young fast bowler represented the Territory at the under 15s national championships in 2019 when he was just a baby and last week travelled to Brisbane earlier than his teammates to undertake testing at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Centre.

JACK NISBETT (NSW METRO)

In a similar mould to Josh Hazlewood, Nisbett is a tall and accurate fast bowler with plenty of admirers.

Was part of Australia’s under 19s World Cup squad in the West Indies earlier this year.

Still resembles a baby giraffe at the moment in the sense he’s very raw and very much still growing into his body.

Reminds good judges of another NSW talent Hunar Verma, who was robbed of opportunities through COVID and is now too old for the under 19s age group but is a fast bowler scouts have their eye on.

Campbell Kellaway of Victoria Metro

TOM WHITNEY (Queensland Metro)

The big Queenslander has that old school fast bowler mentality, commitment and passion about him – reminding Graham Manou of Andy Bichel.

“He’s really fierce competitor and probably our quickest young quick on tour,” said Manou.

Super exciting prospect who was called up to bowl to the Australian Test team before the first Test of the Ashes at the Gabba – and turned heads amongst Pat Cummins’ top order.

CAMPBELL KELLAWAY (Victoria Metro)

One of Australia’s most impressive players at the under 19s World Cup, standing up at the top of the order alongside the country’s No.1 batting prospect – West Australian, Teig Wyllie.

Kellaway handles fast bowling extremely well and actually relishes the challenge of facing the quicks.

“There’s a bit of Matthew Elliott about the way he plays and he’s very much a guy that led from the front both in his game and physical fitness,” said Manou.

Kellaway’s father and uncle both played AFL football and his sporting pedigree is shining through.

AIDAN CAHILL (NSW Country)

Big stocky country boy who was part of the Australian under 19s team that went to the West Indies.

NSW Cricket development manager Nic Bills admits Cahill’s physical attributes would have lent themselves well to the rugby codes.

“I’m six foot two and 90kg and when I met him at 17 he was my height. I said, ‘I can’t tell you this working in pathways cricket, but you really should be playing a different sport,” said Bills.

“He probably should be running off the back of a scrum somewhere at No.7 or 8 in rugby.”

But Cahill has only ever had love for cricket and he is an opening bowler who comes in at No.6 or 7 and gives the ball a massive whack.

Came in early in the under 19s championships in Mackay this week and peeled off 80 off about 60 balls.

A gentle giant with a huge future in the game.

Aidan Cahill of Australia celebrates the wicket of Abdul Faseeh

LIAM BLACKFORD (Victoria Country)

A wicket-keeper batsman and a talent to keep an eye on over the next few years.

Blackford is developing nicely in Premier Cricket and good judges expect him to go to another level at the under 19s Championships.

A batsman first and foremost, but Blackford has keeping as an extra string to his bow and it’s a skill which could make him more selectable particularly in Twenty20 cricket.

ISAAC HIGGINS (South Australia)

Played for Australia in the recent World Cup in the West Indies. High-end talent from South Australia who is captain of their under 19s team and stands out as one of the country’s brightest prospects.

Can bat and bowl and broke into South Australia’s second XI team this season.

SAM KONSTAS (NSW under 17s)

Broke the record for most ever runs in Green Shield under 16s cricket in Sydney this year. Even in a team of under 17s playing in an under 19s carnival, Konstas is only 15. Is good enough to be playing under 19s already.

HARRY MATTHIAS (South Australia)

Unique at this level in the sense he has dropped in and out of South Australia’s pathway system.

But what good judges like is his ability to go away and improve his game and he has come to the under 19s Championships a player on the rise.

Matthias has played plenty of second XI for South Australia already and with Alex Carey now locked into Australian teams across at least Test and one-day cricket, there could be opportunities in state cricket not far away.

Isaac Higgins played for Australia in the recent World Cup in the West Indies

LACHLAN SHAW (NSW Metro)

Wicket-keeper and top batsman who has the head of a much more experienced cricketer on his young shoulders. Impressed at the under 19s World Cup.

COREY MILLER (NSW Metro)

Another of Australia’s under 19s World Cup contingent, Miller has been a star for Northern Districts in NSW Premier Cricket and is developing nicely.

WILL SALZMANN (NSW Metro)

Still with another year at this under 19s level, the young fast bowler from Campbelltown has good judges excited at his rapid growth over the past 12 months, including selection in the Australian squad for the under 19s World Cup.

JOEL DAVIES (NSW Metro)

The younger brother of exciting Big Bash League star Will, Davies is a left-hand batsman with skill as a left-arm offspinner. Got an opportunity for the NSW second XI this summer.

TOBY SNELL (Queensland Metro)

Talented keeper/batsman who kept for Australia at the under 19s World Cup. An attacking stroke player and safe gloveman who has a bright future in Queensland cricket.

JACKSON SINFIELD (Queensland Metro)

Excellent spinner who is still learning his craft but is being closely watched by the Queensland Bulls. Sinfield impressed at the Australian under 19s World Cup because of the way he responded to adversity. Was ruled out of most of the tournament due to COVID, but despite being stuck in his hotel room alone as a teenager overseas, emerged at the back end of the tournament and bowled really well in Australia’s final matches.

MAX FARMER (NSW Country)

Boy from Maitland has been playing a bit of second grade and first grade cricket in Sydney this year as an 18-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman.

ERIC BELL (NSW Country)

Flashy opening batsman and someone who has the skillset as well. Bell has a bit to work on technically but certainly has the skill set and the ability to move the game forward. Good judges feel he’s certainly capable of progressing to higher levels.

HARJAS SINGH (NSW under 17s)

NSW was asked to enter an under 17s team in this year’s 19s Championships, with CA not entering its usual CA XI under 17s side. The quality in NSW’s under 17s ranks allowed them to enter a team with confidence they could compete. Smashed 104 off 52 balls this tournament despite playing against guys two years older. In Premier Cricket this summer Singh became one of the youngest in the history of the competition to score a first grade century playing for Blacktown. One to watch.

Don’t miss the 20 U19 Cricket Australia women’s prospects coming later this week.

Originally published as Cricket Australia’s 20 men’s stars of the future including ambidextrous gun Nivethan Radhakrishnan