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The cricketing calendar has given a good account of all Test teams over the last few months and only one team has commanded any sort of authority. Needless to mention, the South Africans have shown that their consistency could last them for many seasons to come on this quest for ultimate power.
For the rest of the passengers, however, the voyage has appeared ruthless.
Some unfortunate captains lost key players abruptly, and regularly, while others couldn’t quite save their own berth. The result was a significant lowering of the average age in Test cricket and more importantly, the emergence of a brand new generation of soldiers. Here’s a look at some of them, who could be very influential in their team’s pursuit of resurgence in 2013:
Being reminded constantly that he would have to fill in for Rahul Dravid hasn’t looked to have affected Pujara too much. For a few seasons now, Pujara has been piling on the runs in domestic cricket. However, unlike many others who do so, he has been able to carry his form into Test cricket. His ability against the bouncer was found out when he was first drafted into the side but he looks a more accomplished player from back then and could certainly be in thick of things for any potential renaissance of the Indian Test team.
New Zealand seemed to have found the solution to their top order woes when this mellow, level-headed young batsman broke his way into the national side. Williamson’s technique echoed a deep-lying potential that had most of cricket’s romantics craving for a second look. For some reason, he hasn’t quite displayed anything more than promise. The way the Kiwis have been playing, they’ll be hoping it’s his year of coming. A classy 145 against the South African bowling in a one-day match certainly showed some promise in that regard.
Few people are blessed with the privilege of having someone of Brian Lara’s calibre walking about their house. It was an opportunity that Darren Bravo, Lara’s first cousin, clearly made good use of. Similar in style and signature, Bravo’s demeanour is a spitting image of one of cricket’s greatest batsmen ever. His Test career has taken off well and he has some classy knocks under his belt already. Batting in the very core of the West Indian order, he has some testing times ahead and his success could well define that of his nation. One of the most talented left-handed batsmen going around.
If there is a batting line-up that needed an extra touch of elegance, it isn’t England‘s. Alistair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Matt Prior all provide elegance and composure in plenty. In the middle of all that quality, Joe Root has slowly started building a shallow foundation. Drawing comparisons with Michael Vaughan as often as he threads the ball between fielders, Root has a dash of old-school Test batsmanship in him that is delightful to watch. His addition to the team could be the driving factor behind a strong challenge for top spot later in the season.
Not a lot of Sri Lanka’s new generation of youngsters are respected as much as Dinesh Chandimal is. An immensely talented stroke-maker, coupled with a good temperament, Chandimal has impressed every time he has set foot on the field for the Lankans in one-dayers, of which he has already played a fifty. He hasn’t yet been able to break in as a permanent fixture in the Test team, but it looks like his year has finally arrived. In fact, his wicket-keeping ability could earn him quite a long run.
We’ve all witnessed David Warner‘s gigantic swish that doesn’t quite fit in with his diminutive frame. We’ve witnessed him changing many a game, in any way possible; whether he’s smoking the ball over the infield or pulling off unbelievable catches off of similar shots, Warner’s intentions and manner of playing are no hidden secrets. But his foray into Test cricket has been a different challenge altogether. To the joy of many, it looks he’s finally discovered the responsible side to his batting. There were some who doubted his ability to adapt, but he has shown as much promise as anyone.
