5 new batting stars who could shine in 2019

2018 is out and we are all set for another exciting year of international cricket. 2019 would witness many high-profile Test series as well as the cricket World Cup. The stage would be set for the emergence of new stars from various teams.

So, who are the new batsmen in the international circuit that we need to keep an eye on? Which batting prodigy is likely to grab the attention of the cricket world this year?

It is always perilous to make predictions about the future of cricket players as there are many variables that go into making a player successful. But we can at least underline a few names who, so far, have shown the potential as well as the required attitude to achieve great results at the highest level.

So, let’s look at 5 relatively new batsmen that may, by the end of this year, establish themselves as one of the best batsmen in international cricket.

#5 Marcus Harris

Australia have been searching for a batsman who can become David Warner’s long-term opening partner ever since Chris Rogers retired. When Warner got banned for a year following the ball-tampering scandal, both the opening spots were up for grabs. The selectors decided to hand one of them to Marcus Harris for the home series against India.

While Marcus Harris too, like most other top Australian batsmen in the domestic circuit, did not have eye-grabbing stats in the Sheffield Shield, his performance in the series against India suggested great potential. He displayed great timing, solid technique, and also the ability to play different types of shots.

He looked at home when occupying the crease and showed the typical Australian liking for the ball coming on to the bat. Nifty footwork and a positive approach suggested he truly belonged to the international stage.

There is no denying the potential of Harris. All he needs is the ability to keep his concentration going for longer periods so that he can turn starts into big scores. Once he does that, there is no reason why he can’t become the opener Australia have been searching for and turn into a leading batsman in the Aussie batting line-up alongside Steve Smith and David Warner.

Harris is certainly a player to keep an eye out on. When Smith and Warner get back into the team, his batting may well go to the next level.

#4 Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer started to make a mark in international cricket towards the end of 2018

This West Indian batsman oozes that class and flair which has defined Caribbean batting over the decades. His majestic stroke-play has already dazzled those who witnessed it and, if combined with some circumspection and planning, could make him one of the most exciting players to watch in international cricket.

What makes Hetmyer stand out among other West Indian batsmen is the fact that his big-hitting is not composed of merely raw power but has more substance. Furthermore, he has also shown the ability to grit his teeth and battle hard in tough situations rather than throwing his wicket away by slogging – something many other Windies batsmen have been guilty of.

Hetmyer possesses a decent technique and knows how to counter both pace and spin bowling well. After emerging as one of the stars from the West Indies’ triumph in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, he was fast-tracked into the senior team.

Initially, the left-hander didn’t make much of a mark. But towards the end of 2018, he started to find his stride. This is why 2019 may well see him emerging as the new West Indian batting hero. With the Caribbean side looking as frail as ever, an infusion of solidity, as well as extravagance, may well be what is needed.

#3 Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal's performance in his debut series left a good impression

Most Indian batsman who play at the international level possess an impressive stroke-making ability. Mayank Agarwal is no different. Given the onerous task of opening the innings against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at MCG, Agarwal showed that he possessed the potential to make a mark on the biggest stage.

His shot-making and timing were so impressive that the great Allan Border publicly stated that he sees shades of Virat Kohli in him. While achieving the same level of success as the Indian captain may be too big a task to imagine right now, the determination and mental strength Agarwal showed while resisting the Australian trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood suggests tonnes of ability. On top of that, the manner in which he dealt with Nathan Lyon proved that he could be equally proficient against spin-bowling.

Overall, Agarwal seems to be in possession of every trait required in a batsman to achieve success at the highest level - good technique, proper temperament, a variety of shots, and readiness to play out tough spells.

With India desperately in search of a new opening combination that can give good starts to the innings, Agarwal may just emerge as the best answer to this conundrum.

#2 Ben Foakes

Ben Foakes (batting) stunned Sri Lanka with his proficient batting on spin-friendly wickets

Playing spin well has been a major issue for non-subcontinental sides for a long time. England have had their fair share of difficulties in this department. Therefore, it was a great delight for their fans to see a batsman emerge from their country who mastered this challenge in his very first innings, that too in Sri Lanka.

Ben Foakes wasn’t supposed to be on the tour to the island nation but was drafted in at a late stage. He came out to bat in the first innings of the first Test at Galle with his side in serious danger of getting bundled out for less than 200.

The way Foakes batted then left everyone full of admiration. He seemed fully competent against spinners like Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera and devoid of those technical peculiarities which make non-subcontinental batsmen vulnerable against the turning ball.

With quick footwork, he was able to pick the length of the ball and react to it properly. Added to it was good shot selection and calm demeanor. By batting in an equally impressive way through the rest of the series, Foakes proved his debut hundred wasn’t a fluke.

While his keeping was also flawless, the batting potential he showed makes him a player to watch out for in the coming months.

#1 Theunis de Bruyn

Theunis de Bruyn is a very bright prospect for South Africa

While the South African team endured a miserable experience in the Test series in Sri Lanka, there was one bright spot that emerged out of it. It was a brilliant century from Theunis de Bruyn in the second Test at Colombo.

While the rest of the batting line-up crumbled against the Sri Lankan tweakers, de Bruyn played an innings oozing with confidence and maturity. Apart from the execution of some wonderful shots, what made his knock impressive was the way he trusted his defence and never lost his nerve.

A tall batsman, de Bruyn has something of Kevin Pietersen in him. He showed that his unquestionable talent is also supplemented by a very strong mind. Though that hundred remains his only 50+ score at the international level in 16 innings, South Africa have clearly identified a great prospect.

With AB de Villiers out of the team, there is an urgent need in the Proteas Test side for a capable middle-order batsman. De Bruyn clearly possesses the potential to occupy that spot. His positive stroke-play would make him bloom at the highest level if only he can become more consistent.

In 2019, he certainly will have many opportunities to do that. With his ability, he may well emerge as the new South African batting star.