T20 World Cup 2024: Jake Fraser-McGurk brushed from Australian squad, but could yet be included

Australia confirmed its T20 World Cup squad – with some huge omissions – but immediately opened up a loophole that could allow the inclusion of the hottest cricketer in the world.

Jake Fraser-McGurk could yet form part of Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup touring party with selectors leaving the door ajar for the batting wunderkind to be a travelling reserve or even jump into the 15-man squad against the backdrop of David Warner’s lingering hand injury.

The absence of South Australia, Melbourne Renegades and Delhi Capitals sensation Fraser-McGurk was confirmed on Wednesday when the selection panel unveiled an experienced squad for June’s tournament in the West Indies and US, where the Aussies will seek to clinch an unprecedented triple crown of world titles across the game’s three international formats.

Fraser-McGurk, 22, had surged into calculations on the back of three blistering half-centuries during the ongoing Indian Premier League season, however selection chair George Bailey said the panel was comfortable with its top order trio of Warner, Travis Head and rubber-stamped captain Mitch Marsh, meaning there was no room for the youngster as squad balance was prioritised.

“He was close,” Bailey said of Fraser-McGurk.

“Along with a number of others I think Matt Short, I think Spencer Johnson (and) I think Tanveer Sangha all put up good cases. It’s obviously been fantastic to see Jake play as well as he has in the last couple of weeks in the IPL.

Jake Fraser-McGurk has been on fire in the IPL – but it wasn’t enough to secure a World Cup berth. Picture: AFP

“But I mean, ultimately, in that squad of 15 we’re just looking to get the balance that we want in terms of getting across there and playing each game, different opponent, different venues, different surfaces and wanting to get all 15 players on the selection table for each and every game to be able to have those discussions to structure up how we want.

“The way we’re functioning at the top of the order with the three guys we’ve had has been really strong as well.”

However the squad named on Wednesday was only provisional, meaning there is scope to make changes before the final deadline on May 25.

Even beyond that point there could still be changes through injury, with selectors considering taking a standby player to the Caribbean depending on circumstances.

Marsh (hamstring) and Warner (hand) have both been dealing with injuries in recent weeks, with the former sent home from the IPL and Warner sidelined for several games as he struggles to grip his bat.

David Warner has been named – but is dealing with a troublesome hand injury that still puts his spot in jeopardy. Picture: Getty

Bailey said that while the veteran had been cleared of a fracture, he was continuing to deal with the ailment.

“No concern from the point of view that I think it’s been clear that there’s no break but it’s still causing him a fair bit of discomfort,” Bailey said.

“So obviously we’ll monitor that. Hopefully he can get back and play a couple more games in the IPL to finish off but I think it’s just one of those ones, just some deep-seated bone bruising and just it’s gonna take a little bit of time but it’s I don’t think anyone’s going to been able to give him a really definitive answer on how long that’ll be.”

Bailey said form remained a factor in any late changes to the squad.

“There’s still quite a bit of cricket to be played. So we’ll just keep monitoring that over the next couple of weeks and see exactly (what the situation is),” Bailey said.

“The one thing we sort of didn’t want to do was have a reserve player over there who then ends up getting leapfrogged. So we’re very open to taking one that would probably be on an as-needs basis.

Ashton Agar (L) will be expected to play a key role in Australia’s star-studded bowling attack. Picture: Getty

“We’re comfortable with the balance as I said, but there’s a lot of cricket to be played. So if that changes were open to changing it, though there would need to be a reason whether it’s through to injury, form’s clearly a metric, fitness is a metric. So it’s just about making sure that that balance is maintained.”

Bailey suggested that Matthew Wade was ahead of Josh Inglis in Australia’s wicketkeeper pecking order but said a final call hadn’t been made on who would don the gloves when Australia opens its tournament against Oman in Barbados on June 6.

Paceman Nathan Ellis is in contention for a starting XI position according to Bailey, with the selection chair noting that he offered a different skillset to frontline quicks Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

AUSTRALIA’S T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Mitchell Marsh (capt), 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

Originally published as T20 World Cup 2024: Jake Fraser-McGurk brushed from Australian squad, but could yet be included