Luke Pomersbach      

A powerful middle-order batsman, Luke Pomersbach made one of the most remarkable international debuts when he was called into Australia's Twenty20 side in Perth in December 2007. Brad Hodge injured his back while bending over to pull on his trousers and the call went out to Pomersbach, who was parking his car to attend the game as a spectator. After the shock subsided, he struck a six on his way to 15 from seven balls as Australia beat New Zealand. If the circumstances of his debut were not incredible enough, Pomersbach was also suspended by Western Australia at the time after a drinking session with Shaun Marsh. His amazing few months continued when he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab in the IPL and made 152 in five innings, only once being dismissed. Pomersbach's more regular role as a Warriors batsman had also been productive in 2007-08, when he scored 743 Pura Cup runs at 61.91. He had a strong Twenty20 campaign but his one on-field blemish was a lack of one-day form and he lost his spot in the team late in the summer. Still, the season ended well and he was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

The previous summer he had stepped up to state cricket in style, striking a convincing unbeaten 101 in England's tour match against Western Australia. His first-class debut came in the next Pura Cup match and he again proved he was comfortable at state level and made 74 and 63 in his side's three-wicket win. His successful debut season led to a promotion from the rookie list and a spell at the Academy in 2007. It should have been no surprise to anyone who saw his outstanding 145 from 128 balls for a Western Australian XI against the visiting South Africans - with an attack boasting Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini - in 2005-06. A clean striker who pounces on short balls and backs his instincts, Pomersbach played four Pura Cup matches in 2006-07 for 206 runs at 34.33 and would have featured more but for a minor car accident that kept him on the sidelines late in the season. His habit for off-field mishaps continued in 2008 when he broke his collarbone while surfing.
Brydon Coverdale September 2008