What each international cricket team could look like in 10 years
One of the most pressing concerns for every cricket team in the current climate is bringing through young talent. Team demographics change constantly and team rankings too, hence I look at how this could affect the top eight teams' limited overs sides a few years down the line.
To form a team's playing combination 10 years from now, I have only considered players who will be 36 or younger in 2028, meaning they are currently aged 26 or less.
The teams I will look at are the current top eight in the ICC T20I rankings, although the teams I will compile will be a general limited-overs team of the future. The eight top teams at the moment in this discipline are Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Australia
Australia are the only Test-playing nation aside from Zimbabwe to have never sat atop the T20I rankings, but they recently climbed to the No. 2 spot.
Cricket Australia selected a side for the tri-series against New Zealand and England based on players' Big Bash form and came up with a young and effective team.
For the top-order batsmen, I have chosen three Under-19 World Cup stars. Nathan McSweeney made headlines after an incredible 156 against Papua New Guinea and if he partners Jack Edwards, a more consistent performer in the Under-19 tournament, it could be a very interesting opening combination when they mature as players. The number three is Jason Sangha. Sangha seems to be the natural heir to Steve Smith considering his ability to hold an innings together, as well as lead a side, which he is accustomed to doing. This is why he is also our choice for captain.
The middle-order is far more experienced. Adelaide Strikers' Travis Head and Perth Scorchers' Mitchell Marsh have both represented Australia before on numerous occasions and will still be young enough to play at the international level in 2028, while I tip Alex Ross of Brisbane Heat to mature and become an Australia international soon. My wicketkeeper of choice is Alex Carey, who is already putting in a strong claim to be the first choice ODI and T20I wicketkeeper and should still be as effective in a decade's time.
My bowling choices to accompany Mitchell Marsh are Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Arjun Nair and Billy Stanlake. Stanlake and Cummins seem sure to be Australia's future pace bowling attack and have already started to have an influence on the Australian team. Agar is getting better with experience while Nair has produced fantastic performances in the Big Bash. However, Nair will have competition from upcoming leggie Lloyd Pope and Melbourne Stars' Adam Zampa, who is currently the first choice leg-spinner for the Baggy Greens.
2028 Australia XI: Nathan McSweeney, Jack Edwards, Jason Sangha (C), Alex Ross, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Arjun Nair, Billy Stanlake.