Former Test cricketer Mel Jones has highlighted batting prodigy Georgia Voll as a prime example of the emerging talent in Australia ahead of an upcoming international series against India prior to the Ashes against England next month.

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The accomplished broadcaster said the leadership potential of young stars Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield also indicated the Australian team was capable of carrying on the legacy created by the current golden generation of cricketers.

After a superb WBBL series, Voll is set to debut in the three-match series against India beginning in Brisbane on Thursday after being called into the squad as a replaced for sidelined skipper Alyssa Healy, who is recovering from injury.

Jones, who played five Tests and 61 one-day internationals for Australia, told Fox Cricket podcast The Follow On the national side coached by her former teammate Shelley Nitschke has the depth to excel despite some injury concerns.

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While it is hoped Healy will return for a tour of New Zealand later this month prior to the Ashes series against England in January, both Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown were included in the series against India despite some injury concerns during the WBBL.

“I think it is a period of transition which they would have seen coming for a number of years now, hence … why you see Annabel Sutherland captaining the Melbourne Stars this year, Phoebe Litchfield captaining the Sydney Thunder and Sophie Molineux has captained the Melbourne Renegades for a number of years now,” Jones told The Follow On.

“I think when you look through the transition piece with leadership, that they will be very, very happy with where things sit when you have three astute strong leaders, who are still developing, yes, but are wonderful cricketers with great cricket brains and are wonderful leaders. They could easily step up, whether it is a planned one or through injury. So they have done very well there.”

Jones, who is part of Fox Cricket’s expert analysts broadcasting the cricket this summer, said the absence of Tayla Vlaeminck with a shoulder injury was a concern and noted there might be a concern over the depth of fast bowlers.

But she said there is plenty to like about a couple of young talents and said Voll, who is expected to open alongside Litchfield in Brisbane on Thursday, is an exciting player who has shown poise beyond her years.

The surprise loss by Australia in a World Cup semifinal in October to South Africa, which ended a reign of dominance, raised queries as to who the next in line was for the national team but Jones believes there is plenty to look forward to.

“There has probably been a bit of concern in and around the quicks with Vlaeminck out with a shoulder injury and Darcie Brown had the hip problems through the WBBL and is sort of being managed there, so in and around the quicks, you go, ‘Mmmm’” she said.

“But then you have Chloe Ainsworth coming through and Lucy Hamilton, so there are some young guns coming through the system who potentially might be in a game earlier than they were expecting, but again, that is the sport. You get an opportunity and you run with it.

“With (our) spinners, we are looking good (and the) batters are coming through as well. Georgia Voll has shown in the WBBL that nothing sort of fazes her. To score 97 not out at the MCG in a run chase (is impressive).

“So yes, we are in a transition phase, but I think when you look at the depth of domestic cricketers, I think Shelley Nitschke and the team will be reasonably confident they can manage it.”

Voll, 21, produced an outstanding campaign in the WBBL. After making 98 runs off 94 balls for Queensland against Western Australia in a WNCL match, she scored 92 runs from 55 balls and before her outstanding knock at the MCG for the Sydney Thunder.

But Australia’s women’s national selector Shawn Flegler said the right-hander had been on the radar for national duties for several years.

“Georgia Voll has had a strong start to the summer and has shown her potential over several years,” ESPN reported.

“She’ll form an exciting partnership with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order in what will be a great opportunity for her to get a taste of international cricket against a strong India side.”