Western Australia ready to lead Australia’s white-ball face lift ahead of 2027 World Cup defence

A World Cup triumph on Indian soil by beating India at their own game in the final. It’s the crowning achievement in another golden generation of Australian cricket titans. Pat Cummins and his merry men can ride off into the sunset at a time of their choosing, weighed down only by the gold around their necks and in their cabinets, leaving behind a legacy that will define future generations. But for Cricket Australia, the celebrations will be short-lived as they contemplate how to mould the changing of the guard. David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Adam Zampa have all played their final World Cup. By South Africa in 2027, just four - Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis and Cam Green - of this year’s tournament-winning squad have a realistic chance of defending their crown. It will be the first time since 2011 that the squad will need an overall, but Cricket Australia only need look west to find a pool of talent overflowing with riches, including a four-game bolter that could claim the space vacated by Maxwell as Australia’s X-factor. Western Australia has been all-conquering in the last two seasons with back-to-back three-peats and a list of talent destined for grander stages. None more so than 20-year-old Scarborough sensation Cooper Connolly. The power-packed left-hander wrote his name into the fabric of the Perth Scorchers in the BBL12 final, leading a backs-against-the-wall crusade to glory alongside unlikely hero Nick Hobson and becoming an instant cult hero. But the man with flowing golden locks was tagged for bigger things long before that fateful innings and was even handed the honour of leading Australia at an U19s World Cup in the West Indies, where his side made the semifinals. His decision-making and ability to back himself in challenging situations shone through in the Big Bash with the willow and when rolling out his handy spinners. And Australia already back his fielding ability, pulling him off the grade-cricket park to thrust him into the Test arena in last summer’s Perth Test against the West Indies as a substitute fielder. In 2021, WACA coach and Talent Development manager David Fitzgerald labelled Connolly an X-factor. “He’s a bit of an X-factor the way he makes contact with the ball,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s got effortless timing, and he’s been a great leader on and off the field for us in our underage championship teams. He dominated the Colts competition as well as the Kim Hughes Shield for his school. He’s firmly on our radar; he’s considered for further opportunities in the WACA pathway.” While we have only had a micro-dose of what Connolly can do, the young all-rounder is geared for the white-ball game and could be anything in the next four years given the right opportunities and backing. However, he is not the only WA player who could shape Australia’s title defence, with nearly half of the current list in contention to pick up Cummins’ side’s mantle. With the fast-bowling battery set to be looking for new troops, Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson shape up as perfect heirs, Morris with unabated and intimidating raw pace and Richardson able to swing and seam the ball at speed. Morris, who averages 28.72 in List A games, was on the verge of Test selection throughout the 2022-23 summer, learning from the big three, and only missed the Ashes tour of England due to a back injury. After being nursed through the start of the domestic campaign, the 25-year-old is also a strong chance of being called into the squad again this summer as the red-ball transition begins in series against Pakistan and the West Indies. Richardson has already donned the Baggy Green three times, debuting in a day/night Test at the Gabba, claiming an impressive 11 wickets at 22.09. His white-ball prowess has also reached the International scene, taking 27 wickets in ODIs and 19 in International T20s. However, the 27-year-old has been held back by persistent injuries. Richardson underwent a full shoulder reconstruction after a fielding mishap while on white-ball duties for Australia. Just as he was preparing to return, he was struck down by Hamstring complaints that robbed him of an entire season. He dislocated his shoulder again at the start of the 2023-24 season playing for WA’s second XI against South Australia but luckily didn’t require further surgery. However, it has hurt his chances of returning to Australia this summer. Injury plagues are nothing new for fast bowlers in Australia; Cummins himself missed multiple seasons after bursting onto the scene as a 19-year-old. And there are no doubts Morris and Richardson are two of the hottest prospects in the country. Green and gloveman Inglis are sure to punch their ticket to South Africa, having already proved they can make waves at the highest level and with four years to get even better, which will be needed as another WA all-rounder pushes his own case. Aaron Hardie has been called up for Australia’s T20 series against India after debuting in South Africa during a World Cup warm-up series with two 20-over appearances and an ODI. The batting all-rounder boasts impressive First-Class averages with bat and ball and has shown his ability to turn games on a dime for WA and the Perth Scorchers. He can play in the vain of power-hitter Stoinis but is also well adapted to occupying the crease under pressure, as he did for his second First-Class century during the 2022 Sheffield Shield final against Victoria, a skill Labuschagne exemplified in the World Cup final triumph. Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe has found himself in Inglis’ shadow of late but breaks free as one of the BBL’s most dynamic batters at the top of the order for the Sydney Sixers. He could be the perfect candidate to partner likely captain Head as another attacking opener to recreate the devastating effect the South Australian’s partnership with Warner produced. And with Inglis to take the keeping duties, it takes the physical burden off Philippe. There are even a couple of senior longshots from WA that could make a case. Ashton Turner has done as much as possible to earn a call-up but remains unlucky; however, as Australia’s established batters call time, he may be able to finally claim his place. Spinner Ashton Agar was cruelly denied his shot at World Cup glory in 2023 by injury. He was set to partner Zampa in India but couldn’t recover from a calf strain sustained in South Africa in time but his short-form record speaks for itself. The pair will be 34 by the time the next World Cup rolls around but could provide experienced heads around the squad.