Mitch Owen’s ODI nod as Jake Fraser-McGurk axed

Fresh from his T20 half-century in Jamaica, Mitchell Owen has leapfrogged his way into both Australian white-ball squads while a rival batter faces exile.

Australian white-ball captain Mitch Marsh labelled new batting weapon Mitch Owen a “ripping kid” as he earnt an ODI squad call-up for the Top End series against South Africa, with Jake Fraser-McGurk’s single West Indian failure enough for him to be axed.

Owen, who made a half-century in his T20 international debut in Jamaica, is in both the ODI and T20 squads for the series and has put himself in the frame for a T20 World Cup spot next year.

The ODI retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell opened the door for Owen to join the 50-over squad, with Test discard Marnus Labuschagne also earning an international recall and Travis Head is back after skipping the T20s in the West Indies.

Mitchell Owen has been a big hit in Australian colours. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

Both Test captain Pat Cummins and 100-Test quick Mitchell Starc won’t play as they save themselves for the Ashes, but Josh Hazlewood has been included in both squads.

Cameron Green, named man of the series in Australia’s history-making 5-0 T20 sweep of the Windies, will also play both the ODIs and T20s as he continues to build batting form after a significant period sidelined following career-saving back surgery.

“As we build towards the T20 World Cup, the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive,” Australian selection chief George Bailey said.

“The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.

“Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights.”

Australia has 14 more matches over the next six months to prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup in India, starting with the three against South Africa next month.

Jake Fraser-McGurk is back in the international wilderness. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

But Fraser-McGurk faces a battle to regain his spot, axed again making just two runs opening the batting in the first T20 in the West Indies after a surprise recall given his struggles in the IPL and Major League cricket T20 tournaments.

Marsh, said the emergence of players in the West Indies added depth to the squad at the right time and lauded Owen for his debut series performance.

“I thought Mitch was fantastic,” Marsh said.

“He’s a ripping kid, took on the challenge, didn’t seem overawed by the occasion of playing international cricket and seems like a pretty calm figure.

“And as for Cam, I think the biggest thing for me is just him enjoying his cricket, played with a big smile on his face this series and he was awesome, played some really critical roles for us with the bat and was awesome in the field.”

Australian T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

Australian ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

Originally published as Mitch Owen’s ODI nod as Jake Fraser-McGurk axed