Future of Australian cricket is bright with David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh flourishing

AUSTRALIAN cricket is entering a period of generational change but the anchormen of the future are emerging with distinction.

Steve Smith and David Warner during a lap of honour to celebrate after the Australian team winning the 5th Test Match and the Ashes between Australia and England at the SCG .Picture Gregg Porteous

AUSTRALIAN cricket is entering a period of generational change but the anchormen of the future are emerging with distinction.

Australia has a remarkable ability to reinvent its Test team.

Just when the talent pool appears to be thinning, youngsters rise to the challenge, loads are shared, new faces uncovered and the team generally rises again.

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Within a year Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin are likely to leave the Test side.

Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson will enter their mid-30s but Johnson, in particular, looks as if he has plenty of petrol in the tank.

David Warner attacks the ball during his century on day one of the first Test. AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN.

Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said this year he was surprised Australia, given its resources and standing, is not producing better Test batsmen and it is true that they are not falling off trees like mangoes at Christmas.

So long as Steve Smith and David Warner continue their exceptional progress there should not be much for Australia to fret over. They have bought the selectors time.

Mitchell Marsh, still with plenty to prove but on the right track, could soon find himself playing a similar dressingroom role to the one his father Geoff played in the 1980s when the Australian side was weakened by defections to South Africa.

Australia's Steve Smith plays a reverse sweep during his century innings against India. AP Photo/James Elsby

Geoff’s strong, companionable presence made him one of the pillars of a team in transition.

A lot changed around Geoff Marsh during his seven years as a Test player but with the likes of Allan Border, the Waughs, Ian Healy and Merv Hughes, he helped to turn Australia out of a period of heartache and pointed it in the right direction.

Australia built a world beating team around these players and soon enough it may be building another powerful unit around Warner, Smith and Marsh.

Smith’s direct comparison to that dressingroom of the 1980s is Steve Waugh.

Both are Sydney boys who quietly go about their business without significant fuss or fanfare.

Mitchell Marsh and Pat Cummins at Australian training. Pic Tait Schmaal.

Both took their time to find their feet at Test level but the early stumbles cast steel into their souls.

The interesting and deceptively important choice for Australia will be its next Test wicketkeeper when Haddin retires.

Matt Wade, Peter Nevill, Tim Paine and Chris Hartley have all been mentioned as candidates and it is important Australia gets the right man.

NSW Blues wicketkeeper Peter Nevill is the man considered by many as the potential long-term replacement for Brad Haddin in the Australian team. Pic. Phil Hillyard

Apart from runs, catches and stumpings, one of the gifts Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy gave to the Australian game was behind-the-scenes guidance and, at times, home-spun hard-edged wisdom.

It is the glue that turns good teams into great ones and Australia hopes the tradition will continue.

Originally published as Future of Australian cricket is bright with David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh flourishing