In the May 2010 issue, Daniel Brigham assessed the most talented young players ahead of the new county season...
Predicting future stars has never been an easy job. But in the May 2010 issue of The Cricketer, Daniel Brigham gave it a very good go. Here’s his list in full, which features many current England players.
Future England appearances: 7 Tests, 27 ODIs
Taylor’s not had a bad start to his career: he scored 1,207 first-class runs in his first full season last summer and became the youngest double-centurion for Leicestershire.
He was rewarded with the Cricket Writers’ Club Young Player of the Year award and was also named the PCA Young Player of the Year, a double that usually ensures a lengthy England career. Just don’t mention second-season syndrome.
Ashley Giles: “He’s hugely talented in both four-day and one-day formats. He looks like a game-player who rises to a challenge.”
Future England appearances: 13 Tests, 13 ODIs, 8 T20Is
Still to play a full season, Vince has already attracted positive attention from some wise judges with his elegant batting. Duncan Fletcher, who worked with Hampshire as a batting consultant last season, likened him to Michael Vaughan.
Marcus Trescothick: “I was very impressed by him. He demonstrated good technique in challenging conditions and looked well-organised.”
James Taylor was forced to retire in 2016 due to a serious heart condition
Future England appearances: 36 Tests, 69 ODIs, 21 T20Is
The new Steve Harmison? England certainly hope so, hence Finn’s Test debut in Bangladesh. Currently short of lightning quick pace, he has the attributes that could end up making him a more successful bowler than Harmy: an increasing knack for consistency and accuracy.
Tim Boon: “He gets bounce from his height and he has certainly got stronger over the last two years. At times he has shown that he has got some good pace.”
Future England appearances: 11 Tests, 70 ODIs, 60 T20Is
Mike Atherton is a fan of this tall, muscular opening batsman. He’s also impressed Durham captain Will Smith: “For a young player he looked dominant against us last year. He’s a big, strong lad and seemed mentally in tune as well.”
A young Alex Hales celebrates a first-class century for Nottinghamshire
Future England appearances: 57 Tests, 95 ODIs, 23 T20Is
Born to a New Zealand rugby league-playing father, he moved to England aged 12. Eye-catching performances for England Under-19 this winter were seen at close hand by Sussex coach, Mark Robinson: “If he was at Sussex, he would get a key slot in our order. He is a seriously good young allrounder.”
Future England appearances: 19 Tests, 99 ODIs, 37 T20Is
England’s great spinning hope had a winter to forget but, well, he’s nine years younger than Graeme Swann. Lancashire coach, Peter Moores, still believes in him: “We played against him in pre-season in Barbados and the spring in his step was still there. So was the raw talent.”
Adil Rashid had already made his England white-ball debut by the time this article went to print
Future England appearances: 8 ODIs, 5 T20Is
The rise of Craig Kieswetter must have left previous keeper-in-waiting Davies wondering what he has to do. Seven first-class hundreds at a young age proves his undoubted talent and his move to Surrey from Worcestershire could be inspired.
Kent’s coach, Paul Farbrace, is impressed: “As a proper basman, playing at The Oval will be magnificent for him and I expect him to score 1,000 Championship runs this season.”
Other entries (first-class appearances in brackets): Josh Cobb (126), Dan Redfern (85), Alex Blake (46), Will Beer (27), James Harris (144), Azeem Rafiq (39).
Stats correct as of October 17, 2019. This article originally featured in the May 2010 issue of The Cricketer. Click here to subscribe!
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