Cricket’s rich history is dotted with legends who have left a lasting legacy on the sport. Through their performances with the bat, ball or both in several cases, these players have risen head and shoulders above their contemporaries to achieve greatness.
For some like Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar, the talent was undeniable from the moment they stepped on to the cricket field as a rookie. Meanwhile, others such as James Anderson, Virat Kohli and Younis Khan have honed their skills over the years to ultimately transform into extraordinary players.
Many youngsters, meanwhile, have promised plenty in their fledgling stages before fading into obscurity or mediocrity. As such, it is never easy to predict the career trajectory of young players entering the game, no matter how talented they might be.
While there is no telling where their careers will ultimately lead, there is nothing more exciting than watching fresh talents announcing their arrival in cricket.
In this series, we take a look at some of the most exciting cricketers around the world who are aged 23 or below.
South African cricket might not be at the healthiest position currently, though the Proteas can take some heart from the talent coming through the age groups. Here, we look at three of their most promising young cricketers.
LUNGI NGIDI
Age: 23
Role: Right-armed pacer
Strengths: Pace, sharp bounce and in-swing
Similar to: Makhaya Ntini
Man-of-the-match awards on his T20I and Test debuts is a testament to the immense potential that lies in Lungi Ndigi.
The tall pacer was always earmarked as a special talent as he progressed through the age-groups at junior level and it was no surprise when he impressed in his debut T20I outing against Sri Lanka in Centurion in 2017.
While he was always seen as a limited-overs specialist in the early part of his career, Ngidi showed he has the chops for Test cricket as well when he led South Africa to a series-clinching victory over India in his maiden red-ball appearance. Centurion was the setting once again for the pacer who grabbed a six-wicket haul in the second innings to wrap up a victory for the hosts.
With 92 wickets already in 34 international appearances for the Proteas, Ngidi is now a well-established member in the squad. He has had to overcome a knee injury in between but is now looking back to his best.
With his ability to generate sharp bounce at a searing pace, Ngidi can be a handful for any batsman, especially in the swinging conditions of South Africa. Barring any unfortunate injury, it is hard to see Ngidi not developing into one of the top fast bowlers in the world in the coming years.
JANNEMAN MALAN
Age: 23
Role: Right-handed batsman
Strengths: Cut and pull shots
Similar to: Faf du Plessis
After making his T20I debut last year against Pakistan, Janneman Malan had become sort of a forgotten man before being handed an ODI debut against Australia recently.
It didn’t really go to plan for the top-order batsman who was dismissed for a duck on his South Africa comeback. However, he bounced back from that disappointment in style by registering a match-winning unbeaten ton in the second ODI in Bloemfontein.
While he has only made five limited-overs appearances so far for the Proteas, Malan has shown that he has the ability to thrive in red-ball cricket as well. In 38 first-class appearances, the right-hander averages a commanding 50.36 with the help of 11 centuries and nine fifties.
The younger brother of Test-capped South African cricketer Pieter, Janneman Malan’s recent exploits have earned him a county deal with Leicestershire. Having shown his white-ball ability for his country, Malan will be now itching to establish his claim for a Test debut.
KYLE VERREYNNE
Age: 22
Role: Right-handed batsman
Strengths: Strong off the hip, lofted strokes
Similar to: Rassie van der Dussen
Malan was not the only South African batsman to impress on his ODI debut against Australia recently, with Kyle Verreynne making a promising entry in the same series.
With scores of 48 and 50 in the first and third ODIs respectively, Verreynne showed his class with the bat against what was a formidable Aussie bowling attack.
The right-hander showed the different facets to his game in those two contrasting performances by playing a steady and watchful innings in the first ODI before bringing out the big sixes in the series decider.
He also brings with him the added ability to keep wickets, and could be an option to relieve newly appointed skipper Quinton de Kock of his glove duty in the future.
The middle-order batsman has also excellent in the first-class circuit, where he averages an excellent 50.57 after 40 appearances. With South Africa’s batting looking thin over the past year or so, both Malan and Verreynne should get plenty more opportunities going forward.
