Jake Fraser-McGurk blasts 50 in one-day debut for Victoria
Victorian teenager Jake Fraser-McGurk has blasted an astonishing half-century in his state one-day debut, exciting experienced teammates and national selectors.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Victorian captain Peter Handscomb has never encountered a 17-year-old as confident as batting phenom Jake Fraser-McGurk.
The teenager showed all that confidence and then some with a stunning maiden one-day half-century for the Vics at the MCG, which he brought up with a four then an almighty six in consecutive balls.
It was his second half-century in under a week, having also made 51 in his Sheffield Shield batting debut on Wednesday.
Nicknamed “Rooster”, Fraser-McGurk again showed his lack of fear of the big stage in his first white ball game on Sunday, smashing five boundaries in his first 15 balls against NSW.
His 95-run stand with Matt Short, who made 88 off 85 balls, helped pushed the Vics to 4-245. But when both were out in quick succession, the Vics collapsed, losing 6-20 and the final total of 265 was well below expectations. But it proved enough as NSW fell six runs short, all out for 259 on the second-last ball of the innings.
Live stream the Australia v Pakistan T20 & Test Series with KAYO SPORTS on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial >
A score around 300 was on offer when Fraser-McGurk and Short were going, with the teenager playing an array of shots which had commentators including former Australian coach Darren Lehmann very excited.
The teenager raced to 21 of his first 15 balls and when he swatted NSW spinner Jason Sangha over mid-wicket for six, Fraser-McGurk had his half-century off just 46 balls.
Unfortunately for the Vics he was out for 54 slicing a drive to gully after NSW had placed four fielders on the leg-side boundary to try to keep Fraser-McGurk’s run-scoring in check.
“He’s got a serious amount of confidence for a 17-year-old, which is awesome to see,” Handscomb said after McGurk’s debut Shield innings.
“You can see that in his batting. He’s an exciting new talent and hopefully he continues to play his way.
“I hadn’t played district cricket when I was 17. I haven’t seen anyone with that sort of confidence coming through at that age. It’s pretty cool to see.”
Champions in both the Sheffield Shield and one-day competition last summer, the Vics have just three wins from 10 matches across the two formats so far this season.
The three have all come in the one-day format including a thrilling last gasp win over NSW on the back of a fighting bowling performance from veteran Peter Siddle and the twin efforts of another emerging talent, Matthew Short.
Siddle took 3-40, and Short 2-21 having earlier scoring 88 off 85 balls as the Vics, who lost 6-20 to close their innings, kept the pressure on an understrength NSW batting outfit to record a pulsating six-run victory.
MORE NEWS:
Adam Zampa says Twenty20 matches should be shortened
Steve Smith apologises to Aussie teammates in wake of ‘letting my emotions get the better of me’
SuperCoach BBL: Your guide to the best all-rounders of BBL09
Will Sutherland, who only just turned 20 himself, played his part removing NSW captain Moises Henriques in the penultimate over for a defiant 98 to put the final nail in the visitor’s coffin.
The win however won’t be enough for the Vics to defend their limited overs title with just one more game, against South Australia on Tuesday, to come. Fraser-McGurk is set for another day off school to play.
Victorian coach Lachlan Stevens said the teenager would continue to get opportunities with Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Will Pucosvki all taking a break from the game to address their mental wellbeing.
“I knew he was very capable, but you don’t know until they are exposed,” Stevens said.
“It will be an interesting ride. It will have highs and lows. It was great he had a good day to start with
“What it shows is we are happy to give him opportunities when they arise because he can pay at this level.”
Originally published as Jake Fraser-McGurk blasts 50 in one-day debut for Victoria
Allan Border: Why it’s really time for the Gabba to go
He’s known for his resilience on the pitch but Allan Border has had to fight several battles off it too, all uncovered in his sit down with Crash Craddock. WELCOME TO HIGH STEAKS
How the ‘spin sisters’ can help Australia win the T20 World Cup
All eyes will be on the pace duo of Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown, who have been named in the same World Cup squad for the first time, but it’s Australia’s spinners who are set to be the envy of the competition.