Jason Sangha and Jack Edwards out to make selectors take notice

Debate is raging over whether Australian selectors should back in a youth policy to make the most of Steve Smith and David Warner’s bans.

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Jason Sangha and Jack Edwards have sparked a compelling debate over whether backing in a fearless young generation could be the answer to Australia’s Test match woes.

The NSW batting prodigies both made centuries in just their third appearance at Sheffield Shield level and have a chance to make a stunning 11th hour push for first Test selection if they go big again against Queensland in Canberra on Friday before next week’s Australian squad announcement.

Opinion is split on whether a Generation Next selection policy unscarred by the cultural conundrums that have plagued Australian cricket is the right approach to both trying to fill the void left by Steve Smith and David Warner and also make the most of the opportunity that their absence provides.

NSW youngsters Jason Sangha (left) and Jack Edwards could make a stunning push for Test selection.

From last year’s under 19s squad, Sangha ‘s technique has been compared to Ricky Ponting, Edwards is the youngest centurion in one-day cup history, leg-spinner Lloyd Pope is the youngest to ever get a seven-for and Nathan McSweeney faced 180 balls on debut in Shield cricket.

Other National Cricket Centre products have also shone, with 21-year-old Josh Philippe scoring a ton in his first Shield game of the season and Cam Green taking the best nine-for figures in the history of the domestic competition.

NSW teammate and Australian stalwart Nathan Lyon is emphatic about the dangers of throwing two teenagers into the deep end against India and the coach of that under 19s World Cup side Ryan Harris has also warned it’s too soon for Sangha and Edwards.

Chris Rogers, another NCC coach, isn’t necessarily against the idea of blooding youth and argues there is no crystal ball for determining how a young talent might handle the enormity of a Test debut.

As far as Rogers is concerned, the most important stipulation if it did happen would be an understanding from selectors that picking such raw talent would be a roller coaster ride, and that the likes of a Sangha or Edwards would need to be heavily supported by the entire system.

Jason Sangha in Sheffield Shield action for NSW. Picture: AAP

“Nobody has a crystal ball. It could do anything. I’d like to think there’s been some pretty good teachings to the likes of Edwards and Sangha particularly now they’ve got Phil Jaques and Beau Casson helping them through, that if they did go up, they’d understand what is happening and if it didn’t work out they’d come back with the mindset of trying to become better,” said Rogers.

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“My experience was every time I went up I’d struggle and I’d come back and figure things out so the next time I had the opportunity I was far better equipped to deal with it.

“I think it’s always great to see another young player get an opportunity, but it’s what he does with it. Even if he does fail, does he learn from it?

“Whether the opportunity is given or not there should be some really good support for these young players and really good conversations about what it means for them and that it’s not going to be the be all and end all.”

Harris said the most glaring problem in Australian cricket is the lagging standards of Sheffield Shield cricket, which he says won’t be improved if players are given Test caps after three games.

Jack Edwards celebrates his century for NSW against Tasmania. Picture: AAP

“When our Shield competition was strong our Australian team was strong. That’s the way I see it,” he said.

“We can definitely get that strong again … I don’t know why it’s been (struggling) but maybe we mucked around with chucking guys in and out.”

Lyon urged restraint when it comes to Sangha and Edwards.

“I think it’s dangerous throwing young guys into a big Test series like this. I think it’s still really important for them to learn their craft and learn their trade here at Shield level,” said Lyon.

“I’m very impressed with both Jack and Jason, but let’s see them score back-to-back hundreds and take a few wickets when the ball’s in their hands.”

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