In 2014, the late Martin Crowe made a prediction that has turned out to be a highly accurate one. The New Zealand great coined the term ‘Fab Four’ to describe Joe Root, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson.
Aged between 23-25 at the time, the four batsmen were still young in cricket terms and were yet to really hit their peaks. Crowe predicted the ‘Fab Four’ to dominate Test cricket for years to come, believing that they would each go on to captain their respective countries.
While Smith has since gone on to lose his Australia captaincy, Crowe has been right on the money for the most part when it comes to the incredible rise of the Fab Four. They have been a dominant force for the best part of a decade, and should continue to break plenty of records in the years to come.
At their current respective ages, these stars might not be around when the second half of this current decade comes rolling around.
Below, we have picked four upcoming stars aged 25 or below, who are well poised to dominate cricket for the best part of the 2020s. These players are just starting to hit their respective peaks, and have time on their side when it comes to establishing themselves as cricket’s biggest superstars of the new decade.
Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Role: Right-arm Pace
Age: 24
International Appearances: 122
Wickets: 344
Having made his international debut for South Africa in 2014, Kagiso Rabada is now established as the country’s frontline bowler in all three formats.
Blessed with searing pace and an explosive temperament, the Johannesburg-born bowler has already touched those lofty heights that fast bowlers can only dream of. The fact that he was only 22 when he rose to the top of the ICC rankings in Test and ODI formats tells you all you need to know about his meteoric rise.
In fact, he is the youngest bowler in history to attain the No1 Test ranking and also the youngest (23) to claim 150 wickets in the format. His promise was clear to see when he led South Africa to the 2014 ICC U19 World Cup title in the UAE, claiming 14 wickets across the campaign.
The Proteas have done well to fast-track Rabada to the senior team and are reaping the rewards for his early introduction to the big stage. Some might argue that Rabada has peaked too early, with the youngster going on a prolific wicket-taking spree between 2016-18. He wasn’t exactly at his menacing best in 2019, although he still managed to average 27.29 in Tests last year along with a strike-rate of 44.70.
The only worry with Rabada is the fear of burnout, given the hectic workload imposed upon him at such a young age. Barring any major injuries, he should be in the conversation for the best fast bowler for several more years.
Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
Age: 25
Role: Right-hand bat
International Appearances: 21
Runs: 1784
While he might not have the experience of Rabada under his belt, Marnus Labuschagne has already made a huge statement in his limited time on the cricket pitch. A late bloomer, the Australian top-order batsman did not really turn any heads when he made his debut against Pakistan in 2018.
He was handed an international call-up on the back of a modest first-class record and his selection was questioned by many in Australia. In what has been one of the most incredible transformations in the sport, Labuschagne has swatted away those doubts with an incredible 2019.
A county stint at Glamorgan last summer seems to have done wonders for his confidence, with the right-hander subsequently taking the Ashes by storm as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith.
He finished 2019 as the leading run-scorer (1,104) in Tests with an average of nearly 65 and then started 2020 strongly by registering a double ton against New Zealand. His recent introduction to ODI cricket is going well, registering a century and two fifties in his six innings so far.
Now only behind Smith and Virat Kohli in the ICC Test rankings, Labuschagne has the technique and the temperament to be whirlwind success for Australia. If the glimpses into his persona in ‘The Test’ docuseries released recently is anything to by, Labuschagne has the hunger and drive required to become the world’s best for a long time to come.
Jofra Archer (England)
Age: 25
Role: Right-arm fast
International Appearances: 21
Wickets: 53
His displays in England’s tour of New Zealand do not blemish what was an otherwise incredible year for the fast bowler.
The Barbados-born pacer was the missing piece in England’s jigsaw puzzle and his introduction to the international stage was vital in Eoin Morgan’s men claiming maiden World Cup glory at Lord’s.
Having been fast-tracked to England residency under the revamped rules, Archer was one of the stars of their World Cup campaign with 20 wickets in the tournament. There was more to come from the express pacer when the subsequent Ashes series came around, with Archer giving Steve Smith a torrid time in a testing spell at Lord’s.
While the Sussex man had to initially bide his team for an England debut, his prowess with the ball was no secret with his involvements in various T20 franchise leagues. With every variation in the book to be a limited-overs success, Archer has been a man rightly in demand in the IPL and BBL.
Like any fast bowler, injuries are the major obstacles that could threaten his development and the England pacer has already accumulated his fair share of such troubles lately. If he can manage his body and conditioning properly, expect Archer to dominate plenty of batsmen, especially in limited-overs cricket.
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Age: 25
Role: Right-hand bat
International Appearances: 138
Runs: 6680
The only batsman to feature in the top five of the ICC rankings in all three formats, Babar Azam is already in unchartered territory.
Great things have been expected from the Pakistan star ever since he slammed three centuries on the trot in an ODI series against the West Indies in 2016. To his credit, the right-hander has more than delivered on every expectation set his way.
Eleven tons and 15 fifties in just 72 ODI innings are staggering returns for a man who looks poised to take over the mantle of the best batsman in the format from Virat Kohli. He is also an absolute machine in T20Is where he averages more than 50 after 38 innings.
The Pakistan batsman struggled to come to grips with the Test format for a long time, but his displays on the tour of Australia last year have put those doubts to rest. He followed it up with an even more prolific showing in the home series against Sri Lanka and is now ranked No5 in the format.
An elegant batsman with a polished technique, Babar has the temperament to match the best in history. It is scary to think what the Lahore-born man can achieve this decade, given that his best years are still ahead of him.
