Australian cricket has always had a history of talented players who never got a chance to shine internationally. In the 1990s, players like Stuart Law, Michael Bevan, Jamie Siddons, and Jamie Cox struggled to break into the national team despite their success at the Sheffield Shield level. Even Damien Martyn, Matthew Hayden, and Justin Langer saw limited action until the older generation of players retired. Today, the situation is similar for fast bowlers who are in the shadows of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Only nine bowlers have made their debut since 2011, and the trio’s dominance makes it difficult for others to get a chance. Even young prospects like Lance Morris are struggling to make it into the squad.
Players like Ben Cutting, Andrew Fekete, and Jason Behrendorff have come close to playing Test cricket but missed out due to injuries or selection decisions. Despite their impressive records, they never got the opportunity to represent their country in Test matches. Veterans like Chris Tremain and Sean Abbott have also been overlooked for years. Currently, players like Mark Steketee are hoping to break into the Test team but are facing challenges due to the presence of the top three bowlers.
The current trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood has been highly successful, but they are still behind the best fast bowling trio in Australian history, which included spinners like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. With the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, it remains to be seen if any new bowlers will finally get the opportunity to make their mark at the international level.