Jake Fraser-McGurk has been a topic of discussion since the announcement of the Australian World Cup squad. Despite his destructive batting in the IPL, he wasn’t initially included in the World Cup squad.
Playing for Delhi Capitals, McGurk scored 330 runs at a strike rate of 234 in 9 innings. With Delhi not making it to the playoffs, McGurk’s IPL journey also ended for the season.
Naturally, questions arose in the cricketing world about whether Fraser-McGurk’s performance of scoring at a strike rate of 234 in 9 innings for Delhi Capitals in the IPL had any value.
The Australian selectors have now somewhat acknowledged this. Yesterday, they announced Fraser-McGurk as a traveling reserve for the World Cup squad. Along with him, another batsman, Matthew Short, has also been included as a traveling reserve.
Although Fraser-McGurk played in the IPL, Short was not part of this tournament. He was considered based on his performance in the last domestic summer in Australia.
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said about including these two in the World Cup squad, “Matt and Jake made us consider their inclusion in the World Cup squad based on their performances in the last Australian summer.
In Jake’s case, there is also his recent IPL performance.” Bailey further added, “If any player gets injured during the tournament, it will be difficult to find a replacement on short notice.
Matt provides us with an all-rounder option, and Jake adds an alternative in batting.” Australia’s World Cup campaign will begin on June 5th, facing Oman in Barbados.
Having won the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup last year, Australia will aim for their second T20 World Cup title. If successful, they will be the first team to win three global titles.
Australia T20 World Cup Squad:
Mitchell Marsh (captain), 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, and Adam Zampa.
Traveling Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short.
