“We’ve had series against Sri Lanka A in Darwin, India [A] in India and now the England Lions at home in the past few months – that’s three or four different sets of conditions and opponents that will be invaluable experience for the Australia A guys coming through.
“The current Test side is a phenomenal side and has achieved so much, but it’s no secret that it’s an ageing side, too.
“There will be opportunities for fresh faces to come in at some point; we will see a few of these guys playing Tests soon enough I’m sure. Our job is to make them as ready as possible.”
Among the next generation, opener Campbell Kellaway (23), all-rounder Cooper Connolly (22) and seamers Xavier Bartlett (26) and Fergus O’Neill (24) all impressed in Australia A’s recent thrashing of the English Lions, while skipper Nathan McSweeney pummelled 226 not out.
The same group, along with batting prodigies Sam Konstas and Ollie Peake, gained invaluable experience on the subcontinent during September’s multi-format tour of India.
Campbell Kellaway – one of Australian cricket’s rising stars – hits out against the England Lions.Credit: Getty Images
Australia A tours are an expensive investment, but the hope is for a similar trip before the January 2027 Border-Gavaskar series. Australia have not won on Indian soil since 2004.
With stalwarts Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all 34 or older, regeneration of the Test side looms large.
The rise of veterans Jake Weatherald (31) and Scott Boland (36) on the back of Sheffield Shield wickets and runs keeps domestic first-class performances, rightly, prioritised at the selection table.
But a player such as Connolly, whose Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year came after just four first-class matches, points to the modern game’s shift as well. It was injuries, not T20s, that limited Connolly’s appearances for Western Australia until this summer.
Cooper Connolly accepts his baggy green cap from Simon Katich in Sri Lanka.Credit: Getty Images
But more and more, franchise cricket is where skills and knowledge are developed, especially in overseas conditions. England’s intensely scrutinised Ashes preparation, or lack of it, has made clear just how critical familiarity in a foreign land can be.
“A guy like Cooper has the game to be a really successful Test player,” Paine said.
“It’s just the pathway and schedule is different now with so much white-ball cricket. Tests are still the pinnacle for Australian players and certainly what I’ve seen among the next generation coming through, they’re more skilled than ever thanks to T20 cricket.
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“Batting is a 360-degree game and bowlers have all sorts of deliveries. As we’ve seen in this Ashes, Test batting is faster and more aggressive than ever. But it’s still the format that requires knowing how to balance, and how to play to conditions, more than any other.
“The best way to do that is build up red-ball experience and game experience, particularly with tours to places like India when we can.
“The stepping stone is there and there’s so much talent in Australian cricket at the next level, the key now is bringing it through when the top team needs it.”
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