Days out from selectors naming Australia's T20 World Cup squad, Jake Fraser-McGurk has made an irresistible case for selection after another dazzling display for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 22-year-old opener whacked the Mumbai Indians attack all around the ground, in a scintillating 84 off just 27 balls at Delhi's home Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
The young Aussie brought up his half-century in just 15 deliveries – the joint-fourth fastest in IPL annals – as he once again showed that he is Australia's future. His innings propelled the Capitals to a mammoth 4-257, with Mumbai falling short of the total by 10 runs, finishing 9-247. Fraser-McGurk replaced David Warner as the Capitals opener in their match earlier in the week against the Titans and scored a rapid-fire 23 off 14 balls.
The young Aussie has been an IPL revelation this season, starting down the order before being promoted in place of the struggling Warner. After his debut knock of 55 off 35 balls, Fraser-McGurk hasn't looked back, adding another half-century in his second innings.
Watching Fraser-McGurk from the commentary box, former Australia captain Michael Clarke said it would be almost impossible to leave him out of the upcoming T20 World Cup. "The selectors have to be thinking about him now, with the team just a few days away from being selected. It's hard to leave him out, to be honest, the way he's played so far," Clarke said.
"I imagine conditions will be pretty similar in the Caribbean, slower wickets with that extra power in the power play needed. He's done his chances no harm and I'd love to see him in that squad of 15."
On Saturday, Fraser-McGurk hit 11 fours and six sixes in his dazzling knock, recording the highest of his three half-centuries compiled in just five matches since coach Ricky Pointing decided to gamble on picking him in a struggling side. Since stepping into the side he has scored 247 runs at an extraordinary strike-rate of 237.50.
Warner may be the batter with the most runs for an overseas player in IPL history, but the 37-year-old has endured a tough run of form having only scored 37 runs across four innings. While he has done the job for Australia in all forms of the game for more than a decade, after losing his spot in the Delhi side, his place in Australia's World Cup side is also under threat.
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The emergence of Fraser-McGurk has plenty of Aussie cricket fans questioning whether Warner should be part of Australia's best XI for the upcoming World Cup. With Head in form and Fraser-McGurk lighting up the IPL, Warner could find himself fighting for his position at least in the staring XI heading into the T20 World Cup hosted in the US and West Indies. While Warner's place in the squad is likely safe, the same can't be said for Steve Smith, who could be the man to make way for Fraser-McGurk.
with AAP
