Tim Paine reveals 11 players who could make up Australian Test cricket’s next generation

Australia’s Test team is undeniably old with just Nathan McSweeney under 30, so who takes the mantle when the current team retires? Tim Paine runs his eye on the players who come next.

There is no denying this is a relatively old Australian team, with just one player under the age of 30: debutant Nathan McSweeney.

As someone who was recalled to the Test side at almost 33, far be it for me to start writing off guys just on the basis of age.

But clearly many of what has been a very successful team is much closer to the end of their career than the start.

I have been lucky since finishing my playing career to have had an array of coaching roles within the Australian talent pathway system, with Tasmania and at the Adelaide Strikers.

It has given me a front row seat to the next wave of Australian international cricketers.

Here are the players that have I spent time with that stand out as guys who have big futures.

I have decided to separate them into two groups: those that are on the cusp or may even have already had a taste of international cricket, and a younger group who may just be entering the domestic ranks but are ones to watch.

ON THE VERGE

Sam Konstas (NSW, opening batter, 19)

Konstas sort of falls into two categories given he is still a teenager, fresh into state cricket, but is already being seriously talked about as a Test prospect and wasn’t that far off being picked for this series. While his Australia A output wasn’t quite enough to get him into the Aussie squad, his maturity and professionalism stood out when spending time with him. Though it wasn’t until the second innings of the second A match that he really got going, he played a handful of shots before that which made you just go “wow, this kid has it.”

Ollie Davies batting for NSW. Picture:Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Ollie Davies (NSW, middle order batter, 24)

Another who played in the A series, and while he didn’t dominate he has a very high ceiling. He’s got an amazing eye, very fast hands and the ability to just hit the middle of the bat, a bit like David Warner. He is not overly complicated in the way goes about it but once he hits the international stage, he’s going to be a superstar with x-factor. He’s really relaxed, laidback and fun-loving.

Corey Rocchiccioli (WA, off-spinner, 27)

A late starter into professional cricket who has made a huge impression with WA in the last few years. He is clearly right in the mix to tour Sri Lanka later this year. His height and overspin makes him a very dangerous proposition in bouncy Australian conditions, although his spinning rival Todd Murphy - who has already played six Tests - is deceptively tall as well. I am fascinated to see which of them becomes Nathan Lyon’s long-term successor, albeit Gaz looks like he wants to keep going for years to come.

If looking for a fast bowler and a wicketkeeper, Spencer Johnson and Josh Philippe - both of whom have played white-ball cricket for Australia - have what it takes to make it at Test level. I was rapt to hear Spencer Johnson say during the week that he desperately wants to play Test cricket as he could easily be seduced by the white ball riches.

WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli celebrates a wicket against Victoria. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

THE NEXT WAVE

Hugh Weibgen (Queensland, batter, 20)

Australia’s under-19 World Cup winning captain. He is a really impressive kid with leadership written all over him. His maturity and understanding belied his age when I worked with him. Batted at No. 3 in that World Cup and made a century against England. Can’t be long before he plays for Queensland and will have interest from BBL clubs.

Harry Dixon (Victoria, opener, 19)

A left-hander who also bowls useful off-spin. If you talk to him, he wants to play a similar style of game to Dave Warner. But when I first threw balls to him a couple of years ago I just saw Shaun Marsh. Like Marsh he has an uncomplicated technique, appears to be batting with minimal effort and even his mannerisms were like my former Aussie teammate.

Tasmanian Nivethan Radhakrishnan hasn’t yet played for the state side but has the uncanny ability of bowling right and left arm spin. Picture: Linda Higginson/Cricket Tasmania

Nivethan Radhakrishnan (Tasmania, all-rounder, 21)

An all-rounder in every sense of the word given he has the extraordinary knack of being able to bowl both left-arm and right-arm spin. His right-arm stuff is better but his lefties are more than just a party trick. I could see him playing for Tasmania soon down the order but long-term he could fit into the Tigers’ top order.

Mahli Beardman (Western Australia, fast bowler, 19)

Clearly rated highly by national selectors given he was called up to the tour of England after just one state one-dayer. He’s lightly-built, has good skills and is super-competitive. Likeably confident he has a bit of cheek and an ability to bring people together.

Lloyd Pope (South Australia, leg-spinner, 24)

Burst into prominence with his eight-wicket haul against England at the under-19 World Cup almost seven years ago. It’s been a slow burn and he found the going tough at times in state cricket but he’s found real confidence over the past 12 months following a strong BBL with us at the Strikers. He’s his own man and has a bit of a different dress sense but I think he can really challenge to be Adam Zampa’s white-ball successor, with Tanveer Sangha also vying for that spot.

It would remiss of me too not to mention a young wicketkeeper, and I’ve liked the little I’ve seen from NSW’s Lachlan Shaw.