Barney Rubble
International Coach
Right, we're in the crucial period smack bang in the middle of two World Cups, as teams try to build a team with the right blend of youth and experience to succeed, and to get the last few years they can out of their older players.
However, who will be the young players taking over the mantle of those who retire after the 2007 World Cup? By this I mean who are the players at the moment who are either just starting or just about to start their Test and/or ODI careers, and who look as if they could be among the best in the world in a few years time - not players who are young but already established as Test players.
20 Test caps and under is a good margin I think - players like Strauss and Clarke have only been playing Tests for a year or so, but still have 15-odd Tests under their belt, so that seems about fair.
My XI:
1. AJ Strauss (capt)
2. AB De Villiers (wk)
3. MJ Clarke
4. IR Bell
5. KP Pietersen
6. HJH Marshall
7. SR Watson
8. DDJ Bravo
9. IK Pathan
10. SP Jones
11. SW Tait
Couldn't think of a spinner - Clarke and Pietersen can share the duties.
However, who will be the young players taking over the mantle of those who retire after the 2007 World Cup? By this I mean who are the players at the moment who are either just starting or just about to start their Test and/or ODI careers, and who look as if they could be among the best in the world in a few years time - not players who are young but already established as Test players.
20 Test caps and under is a good margin I think - players like Strauss and Clarke have only been playing Tests for a year or so, but still have 15-odd Tests under their belt, so that seems about fair.
My XI:
1. AJ Strauss (capt)
2. AB De Villiers (wk)
3. MJ Clarke
4. IR Bell
5. KP Pietersen
6. HJH Marshall
7. SR Watson
8. DDJ Bravo
9. IK Pathan
10. SP Jones
11. SW Tait
Couldn't think of a spinner - Clarke and Pietersen can share the duties.