One of Western Australia’s most promising cricketers has dismissed concerns over a dearth of talent in the country and says there are plenty of youngsters ready to form the next generation of Australia’s Test team.

And Simon Budge, who is set to tour India with Australia’s World Cup-winning under-19’s team this month, says players like fresh Australian debutant Cooper Connolly and Sheffield Shield regular Teague Wyllie are paving the way for WA’s best young batters.

Budge, a product of the inaugural Rod Marsh Wicketkeeping Academy intake, compiled 341 runs at 68.20 as part of a monster campaign for WA at last summer’s national champions which also included two centuries.

The 18-year-old also brushed aside fears Australia didn’t have enough in the cupboard to replace its Pat Cummins-led golden generation.

“We definitely won’t be short of talent around the country,” he told The West Australian.

“You know, you see other people in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, you know that they’re also certainly on the pathway to push those Aussie senior men’s teams in the future.

“And I would say, with the aging team now in the Australian setup it’s definitely not that it’s a bad thing. You know, they’ve earned their right to be there. But with the talent coming up now, I don’t think it’s a worry at all.

“You’ve got the Cooper Connolly’s, the Teague Wyllies. You got people from other states. I don’t think it’s very much of a worry for Australian cricket that when those Aussie men finally leave and retire, there will be a shortage of talent. That certainly won’t be there.”