The prelude to another golden era

Pat Cummins bowls Jaques Kallis

Calls for players to be dropped are not unusual. What is less often looked at, is suitable replacements. The likes of Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson are under the most pressure in Australia's current side. Its not as easy as many think to select appropriate players who may replace them.

David Warner has just joined the Australian test squad ahead of the second test in Johannesburg. Warner is in superb form for New South Wales, making a host of scores of late. Highlights include, 86 and 148, both against South Australia, in recent Ryobi Cup and Sheffield Shield games. Many question Warner's temperament, technique and suitability for the longest form of the game and he was quickly pigeon holed as a limited overs specialist, unfairly in my opinion, early on in his career.

Warner has far better credentials for test cricket than many would give him credit for. During his pre-state cricketing days, Warner was a prolific run-scorer for Eastern Suburbs in the Sydney first grade competition. One of the highest quality club competitions in the world. Consistently scoring big runs in two-day cricket is a fantastic platform to develop into a first-class cricketer. Warner has also displayed his ability for New South Wales and Australia A, averaging a whisker under 60 across 16 first-class innings. His ability to dig-in and hold down at an end, is the most questioned aspect of Warner's game. 74 from 97 balls, to anchor the innings, in the second one-day international against South Africa, appears to have answered emphatically that he is capable of such.

Usman Khawaja looks certain to play his forth test on Thursday. Khawaja, the technically gifted and highly touted left-hander, has demonstrated his worth in his minimal outings for New South Wales this summer. In similar circumstances to Warner, Khawaja has one hundred in each competition so far this summer. Both against South Australia, at the Adelaide oval -- a happy hunting ground for the top order batsman -- where he also made a double hundred last season. His classy 116 put the selectors on alert, as he kicked off his domestic season in fantastic style. Since then he has looked at home on tour with Australia and says he is more than happy being the spare batsman in South Africa.

The down side to Khawaja, is his relatively unproven ability to score against top-quality attacks. While he has scored against solid bowling units at state level, he is yet to get significant runs on the board for Australia. I have no doubts however, that once his initial score is made, then the runs will flow smoothly. Khawaja would be ideally suited to a position opening Australian innings. His greatest assets are his technique and temperament, invaluable attributes at the pinnacle of the game. Khawaja could form an irresistible and dynamic duo at the top of the order with Warner. Complimenting and contrasting styles which would be able to adjust to all sorts of match situations, whether they be hammering home an advantage or softening the ball in tricky batting conditions.

Matthew Wade stands third in the wicket-keeping line, behind Tim Paine and the incumbent Brad Haddin. The 24 year-old Victorian has come on leaps and bounds over the past two seasons. Two centuries and an impressive 80 so far this year, have many taking notice. Wade is an aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman, in the now expected mold of Adam Gilchrist. While Wade's keeping has improved out of sight of late, it's certainly been his ability with the bat that is generating the most excitement. Wade averages 40-odd in both one-day and first-class cricket, solid enough, but these are both on the rise.

Tim Paine must not be forgotten. The right-handed Tasmanian has impressed for several seasons and in 2010 was awarded with a baggy green. A balanced 92 against the in-form Pakistani attack demonstrated his credentials for test cricket. Paine's worst attribute has been his knack for getting injured when he could be pushing for a place in the national side. Paine may find himself below Wade by the end of the season, as he currently watches from the pavilion, hampered by a broken finger. Paine however, is a superior glove-man to Wade, which will balance his batting. Look out for Paine to impress on return from surgery.

Trent Copeland is the most deserved winner of a baggy green in recent times. The right-arm medium pacer has earned his call up through the good old fashioned weight of wickets. 45 wickets for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield last summer and 35 the year prior, proved too much to be ignored. Copeland is an accurate trundler, who earns his wickets by frustrating batsman into irrational shots. Many criticised his place in test cricket because of his relative lack of pace. However, on the flat, dusty surfaces, least suited to his style of bowling in Sri Lanka, the 1.95 mater tall pace-man, more than proved his worth going for a meager 2.10 runs an over. Unfortunately for Copeland, a place in the side eluded him during the first test in South Africa, a dire shame considering the pitch was ideally suited to him.

Finally, the much touted speedster, Patrick Cummins. The 18 year-old fast bowler looks destined for a baggy green in the near future. Cummins has played just three first-class matches and has only nine wickets at an average of 46.33. Many have questioned his ability to sustain his bowling efforts across five days of test-match cricket. Following a century scored by Marcus North last summer, the former test batsman described Cummins' 33 overs as 'the most sustained fast bowling' he had seen outside test cricket. A sure sign of his ability to handle the rigors that await. It would be best suited for Cummins however, to enjoy a season of shield cricket, where he can develop and learn his own game better to ensure he is ready for the top flight.

Despite the recent hardships faced by the Australian side, I would argue that the talent in waiting is fantastic. A great combination of raw youth and enthusiasm and experienced, seasoned, hard-working cricketers. They say the darkest part of the night is just before the dawn. So too I hope, the Australian cricket side's lowest of lows will only be the prelude to another golden era. The upcoming test series against New Zealand looks the ideal time to give these youngsters a crack at the big time. If only I were in charge of the team...