‘That’s why we’ve been picked’: Fraser-McGurk rejects Healy criticism
By Tom Decent
Jake Fraser-McGurk has shrugged off criticism from former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy, declaring he and Australian opening partner Matt Short would continue their aggressive approach in Friday’s second one-day international against Pakistan.
Australia pulled off a two-wicket win in Melbourne on Monday but were slammed by Healy for what he viewed as loose and egotistical batting when conditions should have dictated a more pragmatic and conservative approach.
“The [Australian] boys’ egos weren’t able to be put away for even half an hour,” Healy said on SEN. “They’re treating it like schoolyard [cricket].
“Our shot selection was poor and to me, the juniors, Matt Short (1) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (16), were [playing] like schoolyard bullies. That’s not good enough from a cricket system that invests a lot more than it looks.”
Fraser-McGurk, 22, has established himself as one of the most dynamic young batsmen in world cricket, particularly after his 29-ball hundred last year for South Australia – the fastest List A century in history. His 41 off 18 balls on against West Indies in February also showcased his explosive style, to go with entertaining knocks in the Indian Premier League.
In light of Healy’s criticism, and with Australia looking to wrap up the ODI series at Adelaide Oval, Fraser-McGurk was asked if he and Short would consider changing their gameplan.
Jake Fraser-McGurk has no plans to change his aggressive approach. Credit: Getty Images
“Not really, no,” Fraser-McGurk replied. “The game’s changing and the way we want to play our cricket is really taking on those first 10 overs instead of scraping to 240, 250.
“If we get off to a flyer in the first 10, then it sets up a nice platform for the boys in the middle to get us past those totals.
“Me and Shorty can go out there and play the way we play. That’s why we’ve been picked. [We are] instructed to be aggressive at the start.”
At times, Australia’s batsmen were troubled by Pakistan’s tactic of bowling more short deliveries in Melbourne. However, it would surprise if the visitors stuck with that strategy in game two, given that the square boundaries at the Adelaide Oval are some of the shortest in international cricket.
“I think Shorty and I wouldn’t mind having a short-ball tactic early, especially with a new ball,” Fraser-McGurk said. “They’re world-class bowlers and the short-ball tactic last game obviously worked well for them. But you know, our batters are ready for what they’re going to bring.”
Friday’s match, which starts at 2:30pm AEDT, is the last ODI featuring Test stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne before they begin preparations for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
Australia have won 13 of their last 14 ODIs against Pakistan at home since 2005. The last time Pakistan beat Australia in an ODI in Adelaide was in 1996.
Fraser-McGurk’s ODI innings at the MCG (16 off 14 balls)
Ball one: Defended an inswinger from Shaheen Afridi, no run.
Ball two: Clipped a full ball off his pads into the leg side, two runs.
Ball three: Quick single into the off side, defensive shot, one run.
Ball four: Tried to hit Naseem Shah’s first delivery, which was short of a length, over the top down the ground. Almost caught, two runs.
Ball five: Defended, no run.
Ball six: Chipped over the top into the leg side, not timed. Two runs.
Ball seven: Slogged over the leg side, four runs.
Ball eight: Four leg byes.
Ball nine: Easy single into the leg side, one run.
Ball 10: Thick edge down to third man, one run.
Ball 11: Defended to mid-on, no run.
Ball 12: A shot in the air into the leg side, one run.
Ball 13: A loose shot in the air into the off side, two runs.
Ball 14: Out. Easy catch to mid-on.