And one name that features prominently in my thoughts is Newcastle's Jason Sangha.

Four years ago, Sangha appeared to have the world at his feet after scoring a remarkable century for a Cricket Australia XI against England in a tour match in Townsville.

Against an attack featuring England Test quicks Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes and spinner Moeen Ali, Sangha peeled off 133, becoming the youngest player (at 18 years and 71 days) to score a century against England since Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar was 17 years and 107 days when he made an unbeaten 119 at Old Trafford in 1990, and admittedly his runs were scored in a Test match.

Sangha also joined a list including Ricky Ponting, Keith Miller, Doug Walters and Neil Harvey in becoming the ninth-youngest Australian to make a first-class hundred.

That innings appeared to justify the heady praise that preceded the then Australian under-19s captain's elevation into senior ranks.

Greg Chappell had already indentified Sangha's talent, labelling him "an elegant stroke-maker with a touch of class that is the hallmark of the very best players".

The late Dean Jones declared: "There is a boy from Newcastle named Jason Sangha ... the kid can play, I can assure you."

Kerry O'Keeffe described Sangha as: "A player of the ages. He is the best, technically, we've had since Ponting."

Test legends don't hand out accolades just for the sake of it. And given the level at which they played, their opinions carry significant weight.

Yet four years on, is Sangha any closer to a Baggy Green?

Probably not, to be brutally honest, and I can't help wondering if the system is to blame.

During his debut Sheffield Shield season with NSW in 2018-19, Sangha played 11 matches and scored 386 runs at an average of 21.44, with a maiden century (117) against Victoria. Not great stats, but for a 19-year-old learning the ropes in a tough school, not entirely terrible either.

He also compiled 178 Big Bash League runs for Sydney Thunder at an average of 22.25, with a highest score of 63 not out.

Yet the following season, Sangha was demoted to grade cricket and played only one Shield game.

Last season he hardly played before Christmas because of a hamstring injury and COVID-19 biosecurity bubbles, eventually appeared in four Shield games, in which he averaged 27.28 and scored another century.

He hasn't played a BBL game since February, 2019.

This season Sangha has started in frustrating fashion with scores of nought, four, 10 and five in two Shield games against the Vics.

On runs alone, his position in the team would appear under scrutiny, but perhaps all he needs is for the selectors to say: "We believe in you and we're going to persevere."

In many ways, the situation Sangha is facing reminds me of two other players in recent times.

The late Phil Hughes looked a world-beater after blazing 115 and 160 against a fearsome South African attack in only his second Test, aged 20. Yet three Tests later he had been dropped, despite averaging 52.44.

He was in and out of the team for the next five years before his tragic death in 2014. And while much was made of his unorthodox technique, I'd suggest the real problem was selectors undermining his self-belief.

It was a similar story for England opener Haseeb Hameed, labelled the "Baby Boycott" after scoring 31 and 82 in India in his Test debut, as a 19-year-old.

Two Tests later, Hameed suffered a broken finger that sidelined him for a lengthy stretch. When he eventually returned, he endured such a lean trot that he was dropped to Lancashire's second XI and subsequently released.

It was only earlier this year, after almost five years in the wilderness, that he fought his way back into the Test team.

The point I'm trying to highlight is that young players rarely lose their talent, but it's all too easy to lose your confidence.

And as I reflect on the state of Australian cricket, there could surely be no better time than now to show faith in young talent.

Of the Aussie team to reach the World Cup T20 final, only two - Pat Cummins (28) and Adam Zampa (29) are aged below 30.

Sangha's former Australian under-19 teammate Cameron Green (22) is the only genuine youngster in our Test team.

Our stocks are apparently so low that 29-year-old Marcus Harris has been guaranteed an opening spot for the Ashes series opener after a 10-Test career that has delivered only two half-centuries.

Usman Khawaja (34) appears a real chance to be picked, while Australia are sweating on the availability of 36-year-old skipper Tim Paine, whose preparations have been hindered by recent neck surgery.

Australian cricket's great eras have been built on young tyros who were chosen young, nurtured, and developed into champions.

There appears to be mounting evidence those days are long gone.