5 super young batsmen who can make it big in Test cricket
Everyone knows the young big four in Test cricket these days - Steven Smith, Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Virat Kohli. These superstars have played some magnificent cricket in recent times to earn this tag. However, these are established stars, three of them captaining their side, with huge expectations on them. What about the really young players who look solid, possess a fine technique and look ready to set Test matches on fire?
With the focus on most youngsters shifting to fancy leagues around the world and the word 'freelance cricketer' thrown around with alarming frequency, it is little surprise that players with solid defensive technique and temperament are far and few.
That said, Test cricket is the pinnacle and widely accepted as the most challenging format. Despite old school cricket a dying art, some select few players from across the globe have managed to make their mark in domestic cricket and squeeze into respective Test teams.
These super talented youngsters look to have the right mindset and technique to conquer the world of Test cricket. Here goes a list of young superstar batsmen in World Cricket at the moment.
#1 Kusal Mendis
This super talented batsman came into the Test team at a time Sri Lanka were struggling to replace the legends, Kumara Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena. He was part of the U19 squad in the 2014 youth World Cup and later made his Test debut for Lanka in 2015 against the visiting West Indian side.
Despite not making a big statement, he was selected for the tour of England, where he scored his maiden Test half-century. The Australian series at home became a turning point for this batsman, as he registered his maiden Test hundred in the first Test at Pallekele. The 176 he made turned out to be a match-winning effort as Sri Lanka registered just their second win in Tests against Australia.
Mendis was named the man-of-the-match for his telling contribution and with the performance has made the no.3 slot his own. He has played 9 Tests to date and averages 37.35 with a century and two half-centuries.