There will be plenty of opportunities for players to make their mark in international cricket this year, with South Africa travelling to New Zealand, Australia visiting Pakistan, and India coming to England. That’s not to mention the T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia in October and November of this year.
The nine players listed below are either in the early phases of their international careers or have yet to make an appearance at all.
England – Saqib Mahmood
Mahmood had a fantastic 2021 season, with a standout performance in the white-ball series against Pakistan. With England in desperate need of a fast bowler, with Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Olly Stone all ailing or on the verge of being injured, Mahmood might make an impact on the Test lineup this year.
Australia – Josh Inglis
After Tim Paine’s retirement as Test captain, Inglis narrowly lost out to Alex Carey in a toss-up for who would take over the gloves for The Ashes. However, Inglis’ ability is reflected in the fact that his white-ball qualities are now his best advantage. If Matthew Wade keeps the gloves after his World Cup success, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Inglis make his debut in the shortest format as a specialist hitter.
India – Ravi Bishnoi
Bishnoi has established himself as one of the top spinners in the IPL and is undoubtedly one of the greatest white-ball players who has yet to earn an international cap. Could he push his way into the side for the T20 World Cup in Australia if he has another successful showing in this year’s tournament?
Sri Lanka – Maheesh Theekshana
Theekshana’s T20 World Cup success this year has already catapulted him onto the international spotlight, so this might be a debatable inclusion. However, Sri Lanka has had a slew of mystery spinners who burst onto the scene only to fade away when opponents figured them out. Can Theekshana defy the odds and make a name for himself in international cricket?
Pakistan – Mohammad Huraira
Muhammad Huraira, at the age of 19, became just the second Pakistani youth after the famous Javed Miandad to hit a triple century in first-class cricket. He’s just played eleven games in first-class cricket and already has three centuries, five fifties, and a 58.00 average.
With Abid Ali out for an undisclosed period of time following heart surgery, Huraira might make his debut at the top of Pakistan’s batting order against Australia. Huraira, a recent graduate of Pakistan’s Under-19 team, scored two half-centuries in a losing cause in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final.
South Africa – Marco Jansen
It’s difficult to get this one anywhere else. Jansen’s 6’8′′ physique not only allows him to bowl left-arm rockets, but he is also being tasked with serving as South Africa’s best all-rounder, batting at No. 7 against India. Despite the fact that it is still early, it is difficult not to be enthusiastic about the potential player that South Africa has discovered in Jansen.
Bangladesh – Mahmudul Hasan Joy
Mahmudul Hasan, Bangladesh Joy Joy has been on Bangladesh’s radar for a time, having been suggested by Bangladesh cricket specialist Sight Screen Cricket Journal to be one to watch in 2022. He was their leading run scorer in the U-19 World Cup in 2020, and his maiden Test fifty against New Zealand in the opening match of 2022 showed his talent.
West Indies – Jayden Seales
In 2020, two months after Seales turned 18, Ian Bishop observed, “This youngster is ready to be in and around the senior set up right now.” Bishop was shown to be correct. Although Seales has only played five first-class matches, four of them have been in Tests, including the Windies’ famous one-wicket triumph over Pakistan. With the West Indies playing three Tests against England in March and the present status of England’s batting line-up, Seales might become a household name for many English cricket fans very soon.
New Zealand – Finn Allen
Finn Allen, 22, has a strike rate of 172.91 after 45 games in domestic T20 cricket. Allen has earned six caps for New Zealand in the shortest format, despite the emergence of Daryl Mitchell as an opener and the ever-present Martin Guptill at the top of the order, which has forced him to wait for more opportunities. Everything might change in 2022.
