Cricket Australia (CA) are may have a problem of plenty as they try and select the best possible team for the T20 World Cup. Having beaten India in the final of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in November, the Aussies hoping to win their second world crown in less than12 months.
Their hero in the 2023 World Cup final against India, Travis Head, is a near certainty to retain his opening position in the T20 World Cup as well. The southpaw has been in great touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League and may carry his form in the T20 World Cup, which will be held in West Indies and USA in June.
However, the CA might well be in a fix when choosing his opening partner. David Warner, who may retire after the T20 World Cup, is one of the front-runners. Australia will be looking to weigh their options as a few more batters have made a case for the coveted opening slot.
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Jake Fraser McGurk:
Jake Fraser McGurk could be Australia’s surprise pick for the upcoming T20I World Cup. Despite having limited international experience, McGurk has been in form in IPL 2024. He has played some aggressive brand of cricket for the Delhi Capitals.
Assuming Head is the first-choice opener, McGurk would provide Australia a chance to go with the left-hand (LHB) /right-hand (RHB) opening combination.
McGurk has played two ODIs for Australia, and his intent in both matches was for everyone to see. He has scored 41 runs in just 23 balls, opening for Australia in the ODI series against West Indies.
MORE: Who is Jake Fraser-McGurk?
Mitchell Marsh:
Mitchell Marsh provides a balanced and a utility option for Australia as an opener. Being a right-handed batter like McGurk, the alternate combination – LHB/RHB – works in Marsh’s favour too.
Moreover, Marsh could provide a handy bowling option to the Aussies – a dimension that is always welcomed by selectors all over the world.
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David Warner:
David Warner would be extra motivated for the 2024 T20I World Cup as it may be his last.
No better way to hang your boots than to lead your country to yet another ICC tournament triumph, and Warner would hope to do just that. Warner could drop anchor at one end, while Head goes all-guns-blazing from the other.
In hindsight, such an opening combination would work wonders for Australia. Moreover, the duo have had past experience batting together, having tasted victory at the recent ODI World Cup in 2023.
Three of the four options for the opener’s position are playing for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. Except Travis Head, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL 2024 auction.
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Mohit Khakhar is a content producer for The Sporting News India.
