2013 in review: New kids on the block

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and not reflective of the website as a whole.

Yet another year draws to a close. A lot has happened over the last twelve months in the world of cricket, and it’s time to reflect. From the dizzying highs of back to back Ashes, to the crushing lows of spot-fixing controversies, 2013 has undoubtedly been an action packed year.

However, this year certainly meant more to some youngsters than to the rest of the world. 2013 saw 38 players make their debut in Tests, and 72 in ODIs. Some of them came, saw, and conquered. Meanwhile, others took their time to adjust into the unimaginable stress and unrealistic expectations of international cricket. Nevertheless, irrespective of their performance, one thing is certain – their lives shall never be the same again.

Here are some of the most impressive debutantes of 2013. They are the unpolished jewels of the cricketing world; the unbelievable talents who are likely to have a glittering career ahead of them.

Category of classification

For a player to fall under the category of “emerging”, he must be under the age of 25, and must have made his debut in either Tests or ODIs in the year 2013. Also, if a player has made his Test debut in 2013 and his ODI debut prior to 2013, only his Test statistics are taken into consideration, and vice-versa.

5. Hamish Rutherford

Hamish Rutherford

Tests – 10, Runs – 558, Average – 34.87, Centuries – 1, High Score – 171

It’s hard to ignore somebody when they make 171 on their Test debut. It’s harder to ignore them when the opposition was bundled out for 169 in the first innings. And it’s impossible to ignore them when the century is made facing bowlers like Anderson, Broad and Finn in the seaming, chilly conditions of Dunedin. Hamish Rutherford impressed one and all from his very first ball – his confident stance, his solid front foot defence, and his stylish cover drives reminded the world of a certain Stephen Fleming.

But akin to most New Zealand players, Rutherford has already been plagued by issues of inconsistency. Following his blazing century on debut, he managed only one half century and was often guilty of throwing his wicket away due to lapses of concentration. However, he remains to be amongst the best newcomers in 2013, and if he could sort out his technique and sharpen his ability to focus, New Zealand may have filled that massive void in the openers slot.

4. Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson

Tests – 5, Runs – 222, Batting average – 37.00, High Score – 116, Wickets – 11, Bowling average – 19.36ODIs – 5, Runs – 114, Batting average – 28.50, High Score – 46, Wickets – 8, Bowling average – 22.25

The youngest New Zealand player to ever receive a contract, Anderson forced people to sit up and take notice in 2007 itself, as a sixteen year old all-rounder playing for Cantebury. Though it took him some time to realize the tremendous talent he possessed, he immediately impressed on his ODI debut against England in June 2013 with a fighting 30 of 24 balls in a difficult chase.

His ability to both doggedly defend and blatantly attack has proven that he is capable of holding his place in the team as a pure batsman. On the bowling front, his knack of breaking partnerships and consistently hitting the low 140s has ensured that Anderson is already being spoken of in the same breath as Chris Cairns, despite being just five Tests into his career.

3. James Faulkner

James Faulkner

Tests – 1, Runs – 45, Batting average – 22.50, Wickets – 6, Bowling average – 16.33ODIs – 19, Runs – 408, Batting average – 45.33, High score – 116, Wickets – 25, Bowling average – 32.04

Every team needs someone to rely on – someone who can produce something out of nothing; someone who the skipper can turn to when nothing seems to be going right. Over the last year, James Faulkner has been that someone for the Australian ODI side. John Inverarity described Faulkner as the sort of player who “can get things done”.

A highly talented bowling all-rounder, Faulkner strolled into the Aussie ODI squad after winning his third consecutive Ricky Ponting medal for being Tasmania’s best player. His capacity of absorbing pressure was on evident at Bangalore, when he scored his maiden century. He stood tall amidst the ruins of his team mates while chasing an improbable 384. Sometimes, his bowling tends to lack consistency. But his knack of producing the odd unplayable delivery makes him the go-to man when the side needs a miracle.

Over the last couple of years, Australia has miraculously managed to produce a multitude of effective pacemen. However, James Faulkner may turn out to be more than just another effective paceman, he may be the magic tonic Australia’s been hunting for – the X-Factor.

2. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

Tests – 3, Wickets – 16, Bowling average – 21.06, Economy rate – 3.54, Best bowling – 5/47ODIs – 20, Wickets – 30, Bowling average – 30.06, Economy rate – 5.39, Best bowling – 3/42

In an attack that has looked toothless from every possible angle, Mohammad Shami has been India’s lone shining bowling star. The benefits of bowling an immaculate line and length were evident immediately, with him becoming the first ever Indian to bowl four maidens on debut. While the rest of the Indian bowlers spent their time donating runs to the opposition, Shami relied on his accuracy to restrict the batsmen.

Over the year, Mohammed Shami quickly established himself as the heart and soul of the Indian ODI attack – and in Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, he found an able partner with whom he could share the new ball. When he was finally given his opportunity in Test cricket, he ran through West Indies on a dead pitch with a good thirty thousand Kolkatans chanting his name in the Eden Gardens.

Mohammed Shami has made it this far – it’s been a heartwarming story of faith reaffirmed. However, the last thing Indian cricket needs is for yet another promising youngster to vanish in the intricate, unforgiving wilderness of international cricket. A priceless gem has been unearthed, and the onus now lies on the BCCI – Shami must be protected.

1. Quinton De Kock

Quinton de Kock

ODIs – 16, Runs – 741, Average – 46.31, Strike rate – 86.56, Centuries – 4, High score – 135

It’s not often that a country discovers a worthy successor to a legend. But then again, South African cricket seems to have been blessed with unnatural dollops of luck. The more that the world sees of Quinton de Kock, the more the world is convinced about his capacity to replace Mark Boucher and become a permanent solution to South Africa’s keeper-batsman problems – AB De Villiers, after all, is a batsman first and a part time keeper later.

The twenty one year old left hander has displayed a remarkable hunger for runs, while placing a high value on his wicket. His sheer passion for batting and his urge to make use of every good start was demonstrated in the recent ODI series against India, where he got back to back centuries.

With a dash of style and exuberance doused in consistency, Quinton has grabbed the eyeballs of the cricketing world. His unadulterated, breath-taking talent is hard to miss – and it’s up to him to make best use of his gifts. de Kock undoubtedly has the potential to don the South African colours for many, many years, and it would be a royal waste of talent if he didn’t end his career as one of their best keeper-batsmen.