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Cricket Australia have confirmed Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short as traveling reserves ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha was also in contention but hurt his hip flexor during a pre-tournament camp in Brisbane, thereby impacting his chances of playing some part in the tournament.
Fraser-McGurk has turned heads with some sensational hitting in IPL 2024 after coming in as Lungi Ngidi's replacement for the Delhi Capitals. The 21-year-old amassed 330 runs in nine matches at an average 36.66. However, the most eye-catching feature was his strike rate of 234.04. He was close to earning a spot in the 15-man squad. However, Australia's in-form top-order batters didn't leave room.
Short was also sidelined due to the same reason, but is a versatile cricketer and has been in good form in the Big Bash League (BBL) as an opener in recent seasons. The right-handed batter, who also bowls off-spin, was the Player of the Series in the 2022-23 edition of the BBL for his 458 runs and 11 wickets. He has also featured in nine T20Is and has a strike rate of 175.96.
Australia 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.
Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short.
"He was a serious consideration for the final 15" - Australia head coach on Jake Fraser-McGurk
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has admitted that both Fraser-McGurk and Short were seriously considered for the 15-man squad, but suggested that they already have in-form batters at the top of the order. He said, as quoted by cricket.com.au:
"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. 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."
Australia will play warm-up matches against West Indies and Namibia, but will have to do so without their full squad due to the IPL 2024 playoffs.
