Five most exciting prodigies in world cricket now

Quite often it happens that people start admiring a cricketer very early in his playing days. We have seen some boys in the past with immense talent go on to become the greatest cricketers of their time. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting showed glimpses of their potential in their teens and conquered the world later. Such wonder boys are always running ahead of others in their age groups, competing strongly with seniors and making a name for themselves while in their transformation to become men. Here are 5 such players who have the ability to become the best in business in coming years.

#5 Dayyaan Galiem (Gauteng, South Africa)

Dayyaan Galiem

There is a big void created in South African cricket after the retirement of JacquesKallis. The quality that Kallis offered made everyone believe that there wont be any good all-rounder ever who can perform that well. But there is a certainDayyaan Galiem, who has a great potential to fill up that void. At 16, Dayyaan made his debut for the South African Under-19 team. He put up some brilliant performances with bat and ball during the quadrangular Under-19 series in India. His all-round skillsensured a place for him in the 2014 Under-19World Cup. But just few weeks before the tournament, he sufferedan injury thatcosted his spot.

South Africa eventually went on to win the World Cup, but Galiemcouldnt be a part of it at that moment. However, he still has a chance to play in 2016 World Cup,as he is very young. His aim is simple:he wants to bat like Kallis and bowl like Dale Steyn, thus justifying number 38 on his jersey (No. 3 was Kalliss jersey number,while No. 8 is Steyns jersey number). He need not do exactly that, even performing at half of their potentials would mean we have a star in the making.

#4 Nicolas Pooran (Trininad & Tobago, West Indies)

Nicolas Pooran

A wicket-keeper who isknown for his attacking batting abilities. At 16,Nicolas Pooran made it to the West Indies Under-19 team. It didnt take long for him to make it to the next level. Aged 17, he was selected byTrindad andTobagoRed Steel to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), thereby becoming theyoungest playerof the tournament.

The left-handermade instant impact by scoring quick-fire 54 from 24 balls in his debut game andcontinued his form in the 2014 Under-19World Cup,scoring amagnificent 143* against Australia: thehighest individual score of thetournament. During that knock,he was also involved in a 136-runpartnership for the 9th wicket,which is a record at the Under-19level. He scored 303 runs in 6 matches during the World Cup. He was fourth on the list of highest run-scorers in that tournament. There has been a dearth of talented wicket-keepers in West Indies recently, and he may just prove to be the ideal option for the spot.

#3 Rex Strickland (Perth, Australia)

Rex Strickland

This part of the world is well-known for producing top quality cricketers. The likes of Dennis Lillee, Tom Moody, Marsh brothersand many morehave played cricket at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground (WACA), Perth,before making it to the international arena. The WACA has also produced some top quality wicket-keepers for Australia. This includes Rod Marsh, Adam Gilchrist and Sam Whiteman,who announced himself with brilliant ton against India A. There is thisyoung lad namedRex Stricklandwho has already made aname for himself, courtesyhis exceptional keeping skills. A right-handed batsman, Stricklandis a live wire behind the stumps. He was named in the all Australian Under-15team where he claimed 16 catches in series to seta national record.

Coming from Wesley College, Perth,which has produced some quality cricketers for Australia like Chris Rogers, Strickland made his way into theWACA Under-17squad recently. Having trained under Ian Kevin, who was also thecoach of Mike Hussey, the youngsterhas backed his wicket-keeping with some tellingbatting performances.Now,he is all set to make an impact at the Under-17 leveland claim aspot in Australias Under-19team,too. Surely,he has all the potential to become Australias regularwicket-keeper in thefuture.

#2 Sam Hain (Warwickshire, England)

Sam Hain

Australia made England regret after they whitewashed them 5-0 in the 2013-14 Ashes. But,now,the men from Down Underarerueing losingout on a tremendously talented player,Sam Hainto their rivals. Till 16,Hain used to play cricket in Queensland. He founda place for himself in Australias Under-19World Cup team at the age of 16. However, the right-hand batsmanstalent was spotted by Warwickshire county officials who drafted him in their2nd XI team. Impressed by his performances, he was promoted to the senior cricket team soon after. At 18, he scored a ton on debut at Lords breaking Ian Bells record to become the youngest Warwickshire player to scorea first-class century.

Hain was prolific in his first seasonregistering4 first-class centuries, including a double ton under his belt. He finished as the seasonshighest run-scorer for his county andwas also picked in BBCs team of the season. Looking at his progress rate, it wont be a surprise if we see a English national team logoon his chest in the coming few months. Certainly,he has the potential to become one of the countrysfinestplayers.

#1 Prithvi Shaw (Mumbai, India)

Prithvi Shaw

The city of Mumbai has produced some phenomenal batsmen for India. The likes of Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar come from this town,which is also known as the cricket capital of India. Continuing this tradition, there is yet another wonder boy who is making the news with his fantastic batting. Prithvi Shaw,a 15-year-old right-hander,is not an unfamiliar name in city anymore.

Shaw won the Harris Shield on a couple of occasions for Rizvi Springfield, aschool known for producing talented cricketers. TheHarris Shieldis one of the most prestigious tournaments in Mumbai,meant for Under-16cricketers. Shawachieved this feat during the 2012 and 2013 seasons when he was only13, which led to him gettinginvitations from various clubs in England to represent them. During his twomonthsstay in the Old Blighty, representingGloucestershires 2nd XI team,Shawscored 1,446 runs including a ton on debut.Hereturned and raised the bar even higher when he scored a record546 runs in an innings in November 2013: the highest individual score in any organised format of cricket. As the youngstercontinues to pile up runs with his bat, it is for sure that he is certainly one for the future.