T20 WC: Jake Fraser’s IPL run reap rewards as star Aussie opener locked in as travelling reserve

Cricket’snewest sensation, Jake Fraser-McGurk, is added toAustralia’stravelling reserve alongside all-rounder Matthew Short for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA.Fraser’sblockbuster IPL debut turned heads all across, including during the squad selection for the 20-team tournament starting June 2, head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed.

Although he failed to break into the final 15 for the marquee event (and understandably so, given how stacked the top order is) the selectorscouldn’tresist picking him eventually. As he travels with the senior squad for the first time since making his international debut early this year, McGurk will use this chance as a learning experience, preparing better for the future.

McGurk hogged the limelight last year for smashing the quickest hundred in List A cricket (playing for South Australia) and soon got picked for the West Indies ODIs earlier this year. Though none of the 10 IPL teams picked him in the 2023 December auction, Delhi Capitals roped him in as an injury replacement midway into the tournament.

The right-handed batter quickly made his mark by notching up 330 runs in nine matches, striking at 234.04, including four fifties, two of which came in 15 deliveries. His inclusion changedDelhi’sstance on the points table as they found momentum and returned to winning ways after a shaky start this season.

Speaking on the same lines,Australia'shead coach admitted thatFraser’sperformance forced them to change plans at the lastmoment.

"There'sno doubt that he did turn our heads, and he was a huge discussion when it comes to the final 15,"McDonald said in a chat with SEN radio."He was running hot, andthere'sno doubt he will run hot into the future.

"There'sno doubt what he did in theIPL;he lit it up;he'san extraordinary talent, andhe'sgoing togive fans much delightacross the journey. In discussing the 15-man squad, we needed to cover all bases in the way we wanted to play, and there was a lot of building that went into that over a period of time,”he added.

Warner,Marsh’sinjury status

Outgoing veteran batter David Warner and T20I captain Mitchell Marsh are nearing full fitnessfrom respectiveinjuries while playing for DC in IPL 2024.

McDonald revealed both will be fitforAustralia’sfirst game against Oman on June 5, adding that Marsh will not bowl early in the tournament due to a slower-than-expected return from his hamstring injury.

"We believehe'sfully fit, everything he sayshe'sfully fit…we have no fears that hewon'tbe fit and fully available,"McDonald said of Warner.