Australia’s swashbuckling opener Jake Fraser-McGurk has been named in the final squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Fraser-McGurk, who was not named in the initial list has been added as a travelling reserve alongside spinner Matt Short. Fraser-McGurk’s much-anticipated call-up comes after the batter’s incredible debut season in the Indian Premier League 2024 where he struck fear in the opposition team.
Fraser-McGurk’s six-hitting ability wowed everyone in the IPL as the opener smashed his way to 330 runs in just 9 matches at a ridiculous strike-rate of 234.04. Earlier, the youngster had reacted to his snub from the side and said that he might not have been ready yet for a big tournament like the T20 World Cup.
DC might retain Jake Fraser-McGurk: Ganguly
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald spoke to cricket.com.au after the final squad was named and said that Fraser-McGurk was in serious contention for the final 15. The coach revealed that Fraser-McGurk was not picked in the main team because of the stacked top order, which included the likes of David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchel Marsh and Cameron Green.
“You look at Jake’s form in the IPL – he took that by storm and he was a serious consideration for the final 15. And so was Matthew Short. His BBL form has been outstanding over a long period of time and he’s shown glimpses at the international level as well, albeit at times he’s had to play a different role,” Andrew McDonald told cricket.com.au
“When you’re on the fringes potentially you’re going to have to play different roles at different times and he’s really embraced some middle-order opportunities. We know that he’s best suited at the top of the order – and it’s probably similar for Jake as well – hence why they haven’t been picked in the in the initial 15,” McDonald added.
T20 World Cup 2024: Full Schedule
“But should anything move, we feel as though both of them could have the flexibility to line up anywhere in that batting order,” concluded the head coach.
Australia play their first match in the tournament on June 5 against Oman.
Australia’s final T20 World Cup squad
Mitch Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short
Source Agencies
