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December 22, 2009Posted on 12/22/2009 in Year review
The most promising debutants of 2009
From Jacob Astill, Australia
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It's been a big year in Test cricket. Australia was finally dethroned from the top of the cricket tree, somehow managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a see-sawing Ashes series; Bangladesh won it's first ever Test series against a West Indian side barracking for more money for less work; and Pakistan made a long-awaited return to the Test arena. So with this action-filled year in mind, I thought I'd cast a closer eye over the players to have made their Test debuts this year and name for you the five who I think have shown the most promise, and have the ability and mettle to have a big impact on the game at its highest level.
Phillip Hughes, Australia
I'm not going to lie to you, I'm a massive fan of Phillip Hughes. The kid's a talent, and it's no fluke that he averages over 60 in first-class cricket in the best domestic competition in the world. It's also no secret why he is billed as the shining young light in Australian cricket. Unfortunately, he was dropped during the Ashes, mainly due to Mitchell Johnson's inability to land the red thing on the big beige strip in the middle of the ground.
This was after having a superb debut tour of South Africa, where he slapped a ton in each innings in Durban against a fast bowling attack of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Jacques Kallis, probably the best in the world cricket since Australia's own Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and Jason Gillespie of the early Noughties. That was only in his second Test, and he finished the series with over 400 runs at about 80.
Since being dropped, Hughes has attempted to epitomise the old adage that a player can't improve until he's left out, working on the supposed technical issues quoted by everyone's favourite selection committee as the reason for his demotion, and showing his mental toughness in largely ignoring the media reports about him that have been both positive and negative. Hughes' game revolves around effortless and consistent off-side play, with extravagant shots featuring in his early season form for his state side NSW. A few more big scores at state level will intensify the pressure on selectors to recall him to the Test side, and we could see the 21-year-old left hander back at the top of the Australian order very soon.
Kemar Roach, West Indies
For a large part of 2009, the West Indies side consisted of a combination of over-the-hill first-class players and extremely green youngsters who probably weren't good enough because of a pay dispute between the star players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). But there was one shining light, who unsurprisingly kept his place in the Test side when the top players returned on West Indies' tour of Australia. I'm talking, of course, about Kemar Roach.
The young paceman debuted against the touring Bangladeshis in July, and despite the West Indies losing, Roach took three wickets in both innings, displaying the pace, hostility, and control that was synonymous with the great West Indies pace attack of the 70's, 80's and 90's. Roach then went on to take a career-best 6 for 48 in the second Test, finishing the series with 13 wickets at 17, the best from either side.
Roach then came to Australia, and during the series managed to trouble, for one, Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Dismissing him on the first day of the first Test, Roach also sent him to hospital with a vicious bouncer in the third Test that struck him on the arm, before dismissing him with another in the second innings. It's not often you see Ponting bounced out, and a scalp of such pedigree only served to enhance Roach's reputation.
As I already said, Roach holds a strong resemblance to the legendary West Indies fast bowlers; his action almost mirrors the great Malcolm Marshall in particular, and with the gift of raw pace and an ability to control the ball well, Roach could go a long way to dragging West Indies cricket out of the doldrums.
Umar Akmal, Pakistan
The little brother of Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, Umar announced his arrival on cricket's highest stage with a bang. Making his first-class debut aged only 17 in 2007, Umar slapped 855 runs in only nine matches and has adapted to international cricket just as easily. Fast forward two years to 2009, and the 19-year-old's sheer weight of runs made him an automatic selection for Pakistan's tour of New Zealand.
Nor did Umar disappoint; coming to the wicket in his first Test match at 74 for 3 after the departure of star batsman Mohammad Yousuf. Umar then departed at 7-293, scoring 129 runs off 160 balls, with 21 boundaries and two sixes in a tick over 3-and-a-half hours, combining with brother Kamran to put on 176 for the sixth wicket. The debutant then backed his first innings century up with a fifty in the second dig, and scored another two half-centuries and a 46 to finish his debut Test series with 379 runs at just over 63.
Many believe Umar to be Pakistan's most complete batsman since the young trio of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, and Younis Khan came onto the Test scene; Umar's attacking prowess extends to being able to play off both feet and all around the wicket, and if his scintillating attacking play can continue then his career will not only be excellent but highly entertaining.
Mohammad Aamer, Pakistan
Aamer has the potential to be the next Wasim Akram. Since being earmarked by the great fast bowler at the age of 15, the now 17-year-old left-armer has gone from strength to strength and is deserving of a place in the top-line Pakistan side. Debuting against Sri Lanka in July, Aamer took six wickets, including the prize scalps of Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Kumar Sangakkara (twice!). He showed extreme promise with his ability to swing the ball prodigiously, and maintain a consistent pace of around the 140kmph mark.
These same features of his play were evident during Pakistan's tour of New Zealand, where Aamer took seven wickets in three Tests. Although not an instant success like the other Test newcomers mentioned here (he averages nearly 40 with the ball), Aamer averages just over 19 in first-class cricket, and not much more than that in a handful of one-day internationals. At only 17 years of age, he has more time on his side than most others going around Test cricket at the moment. Watch out for him during Pakistan's summer against Australia.
JP Duminy, South Africa
Look, I know I'm stretching it with Duminy, as he technically didn't make his Test debut in 2009, but because he did so in December 2008, I think he can count. Plus, it's my choice.
Duminy is a talented left-handed batsman who came into the South African Test side on the tour of Australia in late 2008 as a replacement for the injured Ashwell Prince, but the 25-year-old performed so admirably that the fit-again Prince had to find a place in the side as a makeshift opener when Australia went to South Africa in early 2009.
In his first Test, he scored an unbeaten half-century and was instrumental in South Africa chasing down a fourth-innings total of in excess of 400. Duminy then enhanced his reputation by scoring a brilliant 166 at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test. Not only is Duminy's batting extremely impressive, but his fielding is exceptional and his part-time off-spinners are serially underrated. With some more consistent performances, and the impending retirement of stalwart Kallis, Duminy will be looking transform from an elegant tyro into an integral part of the talented South African batting line-up.
Honourable Mention: Wayne Parnell, South Africa
I've placed Parnell into this list as the "honourable mention" due to his not having played Test cricket yet. The 20-year old left arm swing bowler has, however, shown extreme promise at the limited-overs level. Since making his international debut against Australia in a Twenty20 last summer, Parnell has taken 11 wickets at 17 in eight Twenty20 internationals, 22 wickets in nine ODI's, including 2 five-wicket hauls, and has impressed with his ability to swing the ball at pace, while maintaining control as well. With the great Ntini coming towards the end of his career, Parnell is probably next in line for his spot in the South African line-up, or may even come in before Ntini goes.
Posted by: Sam at December 22, 2009 2:35 PM
Hilfenhaus!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Ravi Seneviratne at December 22, 2009 5:01 PM
I think that Angelo Mathews also deserve a place as a promising debutant for the year 2009,good alrounder in the making
Posted by: Irfan Rizvi at December 22, 2009 7:31 PM
Excellent choices!
Posted by: Roland Hosein at December 22, 2009 9:04 PM
Mention must also be made of Adrian Bharath, moreso after his fine test debut against Australia.
Posted by: Windian at December 22, 2009 9:19 PM
What was Jacob smoking?How about Adrian Bharat,J Trott.
Posted by: Miten Davda at December 22, 2009 9:21 PM
I agree with all your choices. All 5 are super talents and very exciting to watch. Kemar Roach has been especially pleasing to watch - there is nothing quite like a aggressive fast bowler on a fast pitch against one of the best batsmen of all time.
Posted by: Bala at December 22, 2009 10:09 PM
I don't mind the inclusion of Duminy at all. Only problem I had was total surprise - it already seems like ages since he debuted, what with him playing the IPL, a truckload of tests and ODIs and T20Is.... He is, quite possibly, THE most complete batsman the game has seen since the Lara/Sachin/Ponting trio. He has all the shots in the book except a good hook, but his temperament has been excellent in all forms of the game. Totally deserving.
I would have probably thrown in one more "honorable mention" in Adrian Barath. The teenage West Indian looks like he has what it takes to becoming a genuine great in all forms, just like Umar Akmal. That century at the Gabba showed the world a young man with enough mental strength than the entire WI lineup combined. Granted he played only two tests, but his Champions League performance and that debut hundred makes me wanna put him here. Or at least a fleeting mention.
Posted by: vishal at December 22, 2009 10:28 PM
wat about marcus north hes definitely a better player than jp duminy
Posted by: tariq at December 22, 2009 11:52 PM
Excellent joice............
Posted by: Mike at December 23, 2009 2:21 AM
good list, looking forward to seeing umar and aamer this summer, how about barath and dougie bollinger started in jan 09 against SA if i'm not mistaken
Posted by: Pradnesh at December 23, 2009 2:33 AM
Some more honorable mentions would be:
1. Adrian Barath : He has shown his talent to the world with his fluent batting style and he does have potential to make it big. He doggedness reminds me of Desmond Haynes.
2.Johnathan Trott: He definitely made a impact in the ashes series and he has already cemented his place in the test arena.
3.Doug Bollinger: His debut was an good performance and he definitely holds a good future in test arena.
4.M.Vijay: Though he will find it difficult to displace the opening pair in India, He has given indications that when dravid,Laxman or Tendulkar retires, He can definitely be a runner to fill up their place.
5.Freidel De Wet: Another good addition to the South African pace barrage. A support bowler in CJ Matthews mold who can do his job admirably.
Honorable mentions:
1. BJ Watling: Potential still to be tested.
2. MJ Guptill: definite talent.
Posted by: waseem sarwar at December 23, 2009 4:29 AM
well, indeed 5 best young guys in Tests in recent times, nice to see guys like Umar Akmal coming in the ranks in this early age, i really loved his mental strength in the field. he is a Pakistani but his mental strength looks like a Aussie guy. Kemar Roach, Aamir, infect all of the mentioned guys are awesome talents.
Posted by: salim taj at December 23, 2009 4:32 AM
For me best of the lot are both Pakistanis, Umar Akmal, and Mohammad Aamir will set alight cricket arenas in next decade, whereas other seem to have some shortcomings which they have to improve to survive next decade of International cricket,but these guys from pakistan are surely on top and they will be household names in future, which argue well for Pakistan.
Posted by: VNBEDEKAR at December 23, 2009 4:39 AM
How about Adrian Bharat of WI ,Jonathan Trott,de Wet, Doug Bollinger ? Of course,it is your list
Posted by: Rahman at December 23, 2009 4:45 AM
You miss Fawad Alam on this list Jacob ?
Posted by: Aasim at December 23, 2009 5:00 AM
Kemar Roch has more resemblance in his runup and delivery to shoaib akhtar than to marshal.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 23, 2009 6:17 AM
Man it seems u r 2 biased for SA... Wheres Anjelo Mathews who became the SL middle order match winner? He should be a promising debutant.. He showed his class...
Posted by: Irfan at December 23, 2009 6:27 AM
Umar, Ammir, Roach, Parnell, Duminy & Hughes all r new hopes for their playing nations & for cricket.
I would like to mention, when i watched Umar Akmal batting against srilnakan bowling attack, His 66 runs in one match then he scored a brutel hundered against a good bowling attck of Murli, Malinga & Mendis, the one thing came to my mind was that this boy is something special for future.
Then we watched him playing in Champions trophy & against newzeland in tough condtions when he came out to bat pakistan were 84/5, but this boy scored a superb knock of 129 in a bowling freidly wicket, & kept scroing in whole series. Total of 379 in the debut series in diffult batting condtion is a huge effort.
& Ammir,Oh this boy was bowling near to 150Kps in newzeland with fastest deleviery at 152kps, is really worthwatching. This kid can be huge superstar in fast bowling departement, he has everything in him to become a great bowler.
Wish all of them best of luck.
Posted by: Tariq at December 23, 2009 6:57 AM
i like your selection and happy to see the list, include the two pakistanis
Posted by: zahid malik at December 23, 2009 7:11 AM
i am fully agreed with your selection and if have 2 slect then my choice will be same like your choice.phillip hughes is wonderful operner and i watched him playing against south africa and he proved himself.komar roach bowled beautifully in austrlia in recent series and he can be another m marshal for west indies.umar akmal is future prospect for pakistan and i think after yousef and younis he is complete batsman . Mohammad aamar is real replacement of akram and he showed lot of aggression in new zeland. jp duminy proved already that he can go long run with south africa.
Posted by: tony at December 23, 2009 7:25 AM
i would mention barath who scored a 100 on debut against australia also.
Posted by: Jinda Maharaj at December 23, 2009 10:26 AM
How do you rate Adrian Bharath?
Posted by: karl at December 23, 2009 11:46 AM
What about Adrian Bharat from the West Indies? Likened to The great Brian Lara in his demeanour and stroke-play! A century in his first Test Match! Doesn't that count?
Posted by: T.W at December 23, 2009 1:14 PM
Maybe Bharath from the West Indies also deserves honourable mention? His century on test debut while touring Oz preceded by eye-catching strokeplay in the CL 20-20 made a lot of people sit up and notice. Not to mention of course that he was handpicked by B.C Lara himself as a future batting icon in West Indies cricket.
Posted by: Wips at December 23, 2009 1:48 PM
I think we're missing Angelo Mathews from this list. So sad. ONe of the best all rounders in all format of the game.
Posted by: Asad at December 23, 2009 2:44 PM
Yeah ! I do agree with you.
These 5 stars are capable to become super stars in world cricket...Good luck Guys.............
Mohammad Asad from U.S.A.
Posted by: Dave at December 23, 2009 4:04 PM
Why isnt Adrian Barath mentioned?
Posted by: Basil at December 24, 2009 3:51 AM
You mentioned Parnell, who hasn't even played a test match! What about Adrain Barath (WI), who has?
Posted by: amit at December 24, 2009 5:32 AM
What does Johnson have to do with Hughes's inability to handle short pitch bowling from Flintoff and getting dropped from the side? And I would pick Trott over Aamer. Trott has already been a key in winning one test and drawing another in the two he has played - and both being very good team in high pressure situation.
Posted by: Nilan at December 24, 2009 6:23 AM
I am voting for Angelow Mathews
Posted by: YASH at December 24, 2009 6:52 AM
Surely the best debutants came from pak this year,i think saeed ajmal should hav been in d list,bcoz of his odi and t20 record along wid angelo mathews of srilanka,philip hughes is no doubt a huge talent,he is lot better den watson,but watson keeps his place for all round performance..jonathan trott,barath,bollinger will all b great in test cricket in coming years..
Posted by: Stefan at December 24, 2009 6:58 AM
I agree with all of your choices, but what about Adrian Barath. He showed a lot of promise playing for Trinidad in the T20 Champions league and scored a test century on debut. He at least deserves an honourable mention don't you think...?
Posted by: Khurram Zia Khan at December 24, 2009 7:08 AM
A very well written article and the mention of two debutants of Pakistan make your article woth reading.
Posted by: kashif naqvi at December 24, 2009 7:42 AM
Jacob ,i think you miss promissing off spinner pakistan saeed ajmal i think he perform vey well specially in ODI and T20 more over he is very good spinner
Posted by: Emile Wihby at December 24, 2009 10:01 AM
Adrian Barath.
Notable mention also, good skills as opener. Small but very strong batsman, in the mould of the great Brian Lara. looks good for the future. Century in his maiden test against the mighty Australia
Posted by: Osama Qaiser at December 24, 2009 10:12 AM
Best of luck Umer and Amir and
keep it up
Posted by: Ashutosh Sinha at December 24, 2009 10:17 AM
What about JL Trott? I think he deserves a mention too! Not in the top 5 but an honorable mention would do
Posted by: BAkuu at December 24, 2009 1:25 PM
Out of all of these akmal,ammer and parnell are the BEST!
Posted by: mj at December 24, 2009 5:12 PM
angelo mathews should be included!
Posted by: Aaditya at December 25, 2009 1:53 PM
excellent choices but I would also add:
Murali Vijay
Jonathan Trott
Doug Bollinger
Saeed Ajmal
Adrian Barath
Angelo Mathews
Friedel De Wet
BJ Watling
Posted by: Jacob Astill at December 25, 2009 11:13 PM
I see many people are questioning my exclusions of Adrian Barath and Jonothan Trott. Firstly, Trott is too old to be counted as a promising player, and with the English middle-order the revolving door that it is, one bad series could see him drop back to obscurity. As for Barath, not only had I written this BEFORE he made his debut hundred, but, in a comparison to Umar Akmal who has also played on a single series, Barath failed for the rest of the two Tests against the Aussies, while Umar continued to consistently score runs. Barath still has a lot of technical work to do, and will need to score big runs to assure a place for himself at the top of the West Indies order.
Posted by: Ed Davis at December 26, 2009 7:52 PM
You have forgotten, the most sensational test debut in modern times - Jonathon Trott. Try and debate your way out of that one.
Good luck, Edward.
Posted by: A.R.Zaidi at December 27, 2009 11:28 AM
Omar Akmal who started with a debut hundred against the Kiwis. He is the find of the decade rather.
Posted by: mani,Tup,T.N at December 30, 2009 11:08 AM
Good judgement and also notables are
1.Bharath - W.I
2.Virat Kohli - IND
3.Bollinger - AUS
4.Angelo Mat - S.L
Posted by: amol at December 30, 2009 4:33 PM
adrian bharat is new face of west indies
also how is trott left out
Posted by: Ravi Boochoon at December 30, 2009 5:26 PM
I am supporting Kemar Roach all the way. I know that he will be one of the best fast bowlers to come in the future...
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