Big shoes to fill…

(Cullen Bailey)Cullen Bailey, a 22-year-old from South Australia is the boy they reckon would be the country’s future in carrying on th...

(Cullen Bailey)
Cullen Bailey, a 22-year-old from South Australia is the boy they reckon would be the country’s future in carrying on the leg-spin legacy. Bailey is coached by none other than Terry Jenner, the man who played a critical role in shaping Warne’s priceless abilities. In his third year of first class cricket, competitive enough by any standards, the youngster has already impressed playing for the Redbacks and only last year helped his team achieve a couple of memorable victories, his only five-wicket haul against Tasmania being one of them.
The twirler — that’s exactly what they say of the boy’s

ability to loop his deliveries — has already been summoned to the list of Australia’s 25-man probable squad for the coming season. While Jenner feels it’s too early to push him to the big level, especially when MacGill is still around and Brad Hogg’s Chinaman helping a lot more, there is obvious talent in Bailey that expert eyes can’t help but notice. Bailey has appeared in just 17 first class matches, grabbing 54 wickets at an average of 41.51 but again, he’s even impressed in the Pura Cup with 17 wickets in just four matches. Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch doesn’t mince any words when he talks about impressive youngsters getting an opportunity at a higher level. “Bailey has put together a couple of solid seasons now. Sometimes these things happen quickly,” Hilditch says, in stark contrast to Jenner’s belief that “it could be devastating for a young player like Bailey to follow Warne straight in, and the reputation and aura and records that come with that.”

Jenner on Cullen Bailey
Australia have one very promising wrist spinner on the horizon in the name of Cullen Bailey. It has been my privilege to work with him for almost half of his 22 years.
Cullen is quite tall, around 6 foot 2 inches and although a great fan of Warne, his action has been modeled more along the Benaud lines.
His leg-break spins nicely and his wrong’un and top spinner have improved greatly to the point where he has the confidence to use all three deliveries during a spell.
In addition, his slider/back spinner is close to becoming a weapon and his production of the flipper is clinically sound and also not far from being used in matches on a regular basis.
He has a great work ethic and if he had his way we would bowl twice a day, 7 days a week.
If he was chosen for Australia tomorrow he would not embarrass the selectors. However, two years from now I believe he will be a match winner in Test match cricket. —ENS