For these men, we wait.

The world of cricket has seen one too many come and go. They walk in and play with unjustifiable hope. That of their own and those of millions that momentarily back them. Memories though are fickle in sport. Goldfish-like. And not once does reason come into play. I don't think anyone knows what its like to walk onto a green outfield with a low hum of ten thousand that builds to a noise that is the commentary and belief of thousands more. It is pressure unthinkable unless you've played for your country.

Every one of them though has a moment. Some live on to make finer moments. Others wither.

Below, a mere chronicling of some of the youngest, most promising stars of world cricket today, lest they fall and we forget.

1. Alastair Cook - 25 (England)
England and world cricket found their brightest beacon in Alastair Cook in England's 2006 tour of India. A captaincy hopeful in the next decade, Cook, stands tall as an irreplaceable member of England's Test side.

2. Gautam Gambhir - 27 (India)
India's biggest 'rebirth' and one of the top batsmen in world cricket today, Gautam Gambhir, some would argue, had more than ample opportunity, and had been possibly written off courtesy his flamboyance that more often than not, wasn't backed by runs. But today he finds a spot in the Indian National side in all forms of the game and was recently crowned the top batsman in the world.

3. Rohit Sharma - 22 (India)
Rohit Sharma was described by Ian Chappell as having the best defence he had seen since a certain Sachin Tendulkar - a complement that would serve as a warning to rivals. Complements though haven't put runs on the board for Sharma, and he has often found himself underperforming. Sharma's effortless play on the offside and an equally venomous hook and pull have prompted glimpses of greatness and if we are lucky, we just might catch one of the great players of our times. He hasn't played a Test yet. Why?

4. Marcus North - 30 (Australia)
At 30, North isn't exactly young, but that often is the case with new finds in Australia. Age hasn't stopped North from finding himself a firm spot in the Australian middle order in the longest form of the game. Only 6 matches old, North promises to hold our attention for a while ahead. The three hundreds in that time speak for themselves.

5. Michael Clarke - 28 (Australia)
Clarke and Cook are among the more experienced members of this list. But the aforementioned nature of Cricket Australia and their 'aged' rookies puts Clarke among the younger members of the Aussie side. Clarke has no doubt proven himself over the past 6 years. Ably replacing the likes of Waugh and Martyn, Clarke has also made clear his allegiance to his country side (read: No IPL for Michael). This really puts Clarke up there among the potential future leaders of the Australian side. His competitor is perhaps Andrew Symonds. Ahem.

6. Shakib Al Hasan - 22 (Bangladesh)
The world's disregard for the brilliance of this young Bangladeshi, Shakib Al Hasan, is nearing ridiculous. The man is perhaps solely responsible for the somewhat revolution that is the new Bangladeshi side. His work during the West Indies series cannot be ignored. His exclusion thus far from the IPL has already sparked a few raised eyebrows.

7. Denesh Ramdin - 24 (West Indies)
The inclusion of Ramdin in this list has two reasons. Firstly, I needed a wicketkeeper. Secondly, I actually like Ramdin. The un - Calypso - esque ways of Ramdin have more than once proven to be an unlikely boon to the West Indies side. His statistics don't speak much of Ramdin with the bat. But he is more than adequate with the gloves and has definitely brought an end to the hilarious string of keeper recruits the side has had post-Ridley Jacobs.

8. Irfan Pathan - 24 (India)
The enigma that is Pathan's form over the past 3 years cannot be the only reason for his continuous exclusion from the Indian side. Tagging him and his half brother as T20 experts is hysterical. The recurring habit of excluding young hopefuls and the politics that rides the BCCI are perhaps more logical conclusions. Marked as one of the finest emerging players in world cricket at one point, injury, team bias, poor form and bad luck could undeniably end the career of one India's brightest. I sure hope not.

9. Mitchell Johnson - 27 (Australia)
The now infamous Australian exodus has more recently had a lasting effect on the bowling attack with the likes of McGrath and Warne out, Lee iffy with injury, and a new pool of bowlers wallowing in inexperience, Mitchell Johnson probably stood out as the most significant find in the past 4 years. The Queenslander has significantly brought back speed to southpaws. Even more recently he has carved himself a niche with the bat proving to be no mug with a willow.

10. Saeed Ajmal - 31 (Pakistan)
The oldest member on this list, Ajmal is fortunately a spinner and if popular belief is anything to go by, he could potentially get better with age. He has lifted his game, particularly his bowling, rapidly over the last year and has more recently broken into all forms of the game. While his fielding is mediocre to say the least, Pakistan could have finally found a spin demon to follow the likes of Mushtaq and Saqlain.

11. Ishant Sharma - 20 (India)
A startling find at 20, Ishant Sharma has very quickly had to face the burden of media hype and more significantly, spearheading the Indian pace attack. While Zaheer's recent and most fortunate purple patch has helped Sharma case a wee bit, there is no denying his future prospects. He is of course, still only 20 and personally, we shouldn't expect greatness so early. Scares me that he is my age. What the hell does that feel like?

12. Jean-Paul Duminy - 25 (South Africa)
Duminy perhaps rose from nothing. One moment South Africa lacked a significant young addition to their middle order and the next, Duminy cracked a majestic 166 at the MCG. The timing of Duminy's entry into the national side is perhaps perfect as he augments the likes of AB DeVilliers, Amla and Kallis in the middle. The middle order spot has perhaps been shared off and on by many before Duminy, but it would be safe to say, the Proteas have found a keeper. Also, Jean-Paul is a great name.

13. Dale Steyn - 26 (South Africa)
Steyn walked into International cricket a while ago with South Africa hunting for a more stable prospect in the post-Pollock era (read: Andre Nel). Steyn has perhaps found his place more recently with what seems like significant work on his line. Fast, but wayward evolved to lethal and aggressive. The past two years have seen the birth of a brand new quickie.

14. Peter Siddle - 24 (Australia)
Siddle's beginnings were perhaps overshadowed by the rounding up of a strange bowling attack in Australia's away series at India. While Jason Krezja and Doug Bollinger seem unlikely to make a comeback, Siddle stuck it out and has pushed his way into the side alongside Johnson and another surprise, Ben Hilfenhaus. Brett Lee finds it hard to get himself into the Test Side now. Sacrilege.

15. Nuwan Kulasekara - 27 (Sri Lanka)
While the inclusion of Kulasekara could be argued, it is undeniable that a huge burden awaits the man that could spearhead a new, young Sri Lankan side minus Murli and Vaas and it really seems like Kulasekara would hold the reins in the near future. The reason to look out for Kulasekara would not be for what he has done thus far but for what he could possibly do in the future.

The likes of these fifteen wouldn't make a World XI today, but we would certainly be fortunate to watch any of them come into contention in the years ahead.

Stats and Info: Cricinfo.com