Can Three Young Debutants Make Their Mark For Australia?
Three debutants for Australia in their English tour.
Australia has not played International cricket for six months.
Australia’s tour of England starts on Friday night UK time (3am AEST, Saturday September 5th). The match will be the first of three T20’s at Southampton.
Australia has selected three promising debutants including Josh Philippe, Riley Meredith and Daniel Sams for the T20’s and ODI’s. All three have performed exceptionally well in the Big Bash League.
In this article, we will be looking at each individually and analysing how they could fit in to Australia’s T20I team.
Josh Philippe
Philippe is a top order batsman and he impressed in the Big Bash League last year. In particular, the 23-year-old smashed 52 runs off 29 balls at a wet SCG in a reduced 12 over a side match over the Melbourne Stars. Philippe handled the pressure well and was awarded the player of the match.
After his superb knock, Philippe received praise from Sixers teammate Steve Smith, who believes he has what it takes to play in the middle order for Australia. Yes, Philippe is a top order batsmen, but Smith believes he can be a middle order finisher in the national team. He was the third highest run scorer after last years Big Bash League with 487 runs at 37.46 and a strike rate of 129.86.
Philippe has been staking his claims in domestic cricket for quite some time and now he is getting his chance at the International level. Also, the youngster has been compared to Smith since his early days in the way he plays. Smith and Philippe batted together in the BBL and it was like seeing double. Yes, he is young, but expect this newcomer to be hard to get out when he comes to the crease in England.
The outstanding youngster is also a wicket keeper and with his talent, he is expected to play in all three formats.
Also, Read – The Best Young Batsmen In T20 Cricket
Riley Meredith
Meredith is an exciting right hand fast bowler from Tasmania. He is a consistent bowler, who can bowl 140kph+. He is 24-years-old and played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL07, BBL08 and BBL09. Meredith held an overall economy rate of 8.22 and registered the best bowling figures of 4-21.
He made his domestic cricket debut in the Australian Domestic One-Day Cup (2017). Meredith stood up in Jackson Bird’s absence with his bowling towards the end of the competition. As a fast bowler, he is rated highly. Expect the young gun to make a name for himself in the national team.
Watch – Riley Meredith’s Triple Treat On Christmas Eve
Meredith played List A cricket, averaging 36.80 with an economy rate of 5.50. With his bowling, Meredith can reach up to 150kph and he says he will not hold back in his first International tour.
He was in the top 10 BBL bowlers, as he picked up 10 wickets at just 13.70 runs apiece. Also, from his bowling he only allowed 6.68 runs per over. He was in fine form with his bowling, but unfortunately it did not last as he became injured six games into the competition.
Daniel Sams
Sams is 28-years-old and he has a lot to offer the Australian T20 and ODI team. He is a left arm fast medium who is pretty handy with the bat. Sams played well in the intra club matches. He debuted in first-class cricket for Canterbury in the 2017-18 Plunket Shield season on 30 October 2017. Sams played for Sydney Thunder in the BBL09. In BBL09, Sams showed his skill with the bowl and was the leading wicket taker. He claimed the inaugural Big Bash BKT Golden Cap.
Watch – All Of Daniel Sams’ Wickets In BBL 09
The three debutants for Australia, all have something different to add to the national T20 and ODI teams. Yes, it is a big step into the Australian national team, but Philippe, Meredith and Sams have shown what they are capable of against International talent in the BBL competition and domestic One Day competitions. So, expect Philippe, Meredith and Sams to perform on the national stage as well.
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