Say hello to the future of Australian cricket

NOT happy with the current crop of Aussies, well say hello to the future.

SHAUN MARSH:

WA, 27

Coach Mickey Arthur rates him the best young player he has coached, but he has been floating around the first-class scene for 10 years and averages just 37. Not good enough. The worry is that most great batsman are very smart. He is no rocket scientist, but should be going better than he is despite recent improvement.

ED COWAN:

Tas, Age: 28

Sound top-order batsman and smart kid who is a qualified investment banker finally at peace with his game after moving to Tasmania from NSW. Has been around the first-class scene for eight years. Could surprise everyone if he got a start at Test level.

GEORGE BAILEY:

Tas, 28

Has acceptable, but hardly exceptional, results for Tasmania. Would enhance any team because of his solid character. His average in the high 30s may not command a Test place, but his cricketing bloodlines stretch back generations and he may be worth a try.

NATHAN COULTER-NILE:

WA, 23

Swing bowler who can be devastating on his day. Always seems to be injured but if he gets it right has the ability to surge into Test calculations.

CHRIS LYNN:

Qld, 20

Excellent batting prospect, good enough to be playing Tests within two years. His dad built him a backyard net when he was in his early teens and he has shown an ability to survive and thrive in all sorts of challenging conditions

PETER GEORGE:

Sth Aust, 24

Tall South Australian fast bowler who can be a worthy Test bowler if the supplements he is taking can fill out his physique. Getting bigger and stronger by the season. Could he be our Chris Tremlett?

MARK COSGROVE:

Tas, 26

Has a Darren Lehmann-like ability to pierce a field with his strokeplay. Very canny player but you just can't have sumo wrestlers playing for Australia.

Is a chance if he loses weight.

TIM PAINE:

Tas, 26

The Tasmanian wicketkeeper-batsman is very highly regarded. The national selectors and Australian Cricket Board love him and reckon he is a player of star quality with leadership potential. However he is going nowhere until Brad Haddin retires.

BEN CUTTING:

Qld, 23

Having an injury-marred season, but is a strong, pacy quick who can go places quickly if he gets it right. May need more time, but should get there eventually.

JAMES PATTINSON:

Vic, 20

The quick has been watched by men in high places for several years and always seems to get

mentioned by selectors and board members when teams of the future are mentioned.

His destiny could arrive sooner than he thinks.

WHO OUR OTHER EXPERTS NAMED

(WILL SWANTON & RICHARD EARLE)

MARK CAMERON

NSW Pace bowler, 29

TRENT COPELAND

NSW Pace bowler, 24

CALLUM FERGUSON

South Aust Batsman, 26

MITCHELL STARC

NSW Pace bowler, 20

WES ROBINSON

WA, batsman, 30

ALEX KEATH

Vic, batsman, 18

NIC MADDINSON,

NSW, batsman, 19

STEPHEN O'KEEFE,

NSW, Left-arm orthodox spinner, 26

MATTHEW WADE,

Vic, Keeper-batsman, 23

MITCHELL MARSH

West Aust, Allrounder, 19