Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett called up to Australia ODI squad
Two uncapped BBL rising stars have earnt a surprise call-up to Australia’s 50-over team as a World Cup hero is “managed”.
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Big Bash sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk is on the verge of an international debut after being called in to the Australian ODI squad as a replacement for the man he’s drawn comparisons to in Glenn Maxwell.
Fraser-McGurk, 21, is firming to play his first match for Australia in the 50-over format after he was called up to face the West Indies after a breakout campaign with the Melbourne Renegades.
The right-hander has been added to the squad for the three-match series next month along with Queensland seamer Xavier Bartlett as Maxwell is rested ahead of the three T20 games to follow.
It comes after Jhye Richardson was already ruled out of the series with a side strain, which ended his BBL campaign.
Fraser-McGurk has only passed 50 twice in his 15 innings in domestic one-day cricket, but the most recent of those was his world record 29-ball century against Tasmania at Karen Rolton Oval in October.
He hit two half-centuries in a breakout BBL campaign for the Melbourne Renegades this summer to finish in the top 10 league run-scorers with 257 at a strike rate of 158.74.
Bartlett, 25, is currently the leading wicket-taker in the BBL with 17 at an average of only 14.82 after being one of the main beneficiaries from the decision to scrap the “X-Factor” sub rule 18 months ago.
After bowling only one over before being subbed out of several matches in previous campaigns, he became the lead new-ball bowler for the Brisbane Heat this season and has earnt selection ahead of left-arm tearaway teammate Spencer Johnson and in-form veteran Michael Neser.
Bartlett has only been able to play 20 domestic one-day matches despite making his debut in the format more than seven years ago.
The right-armer has claimed 23 wickets at an average of 36.17 with best figures of 3-43.
The decision to rest Maxwell comes after he stepped down from the Melbourne Stars’ captaincy following their disappointing campaign.
The 35-year-old has endured a gruelling campaign since he joined Australia’s one-day squad in India before the World Cup, hanging around to play two T20s in the five-match series afterwards before returning home ahead of the BBL season.
Australia v West Indies ODI series
Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), Travis Head (vc), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Adam Zampa.
West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
1st ODI: February 2, MCG (D/N)
2nd ODI: February 4, SCG (D/N)
3rd ODI: February 6, Manuka Oval (D/N)
Originally published as Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett called up to Australia ODI squad
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