Jake Fraser-McGurk embraces opener competition with Matt Short

A rising star of Australian cricket has openly declared he’ll be in competition with a teammate to secure a coveted ODI role.

It may only be paternity leave cover, but Jake Fraser-McGurk is excited for a chance to cement himself at the top of Australia’s one-day batting order against Pakistan.

The dynamic 22-year-old batter expects he will partner Matt Short at the top of the order in next month’s three-match series as Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are given time away for the births of their children.

Fraser-McGurk said he had learnt from a tough T20 series in Scotland last month which had delivered two ducks in three innings, and was eager to stamp himself as a core part of Australia’s white-ball batting unit.

“Scotland was quite tough for me, personally, and then the one game in England (where he made 50 off 31 balls) … the lesson is it’s never going to be the same (conditions), so always prepare the best you can,” he said on Thursday.

Jake Fraser-McGurk says he learnt from a tough Scotland T20 series where he managed only 16 runs in three innings. Picture: Ryan Hiscott / Getty Images

“I’m really excited to get in front of our home crowds – hopefully they’re not as hostile as the (Cardiff) crowd I just experienced.

“The first game is at the MCG, so all my friends and family back home, it’s going to be nice to play in front of them.”

Fraser-McGurk said Australia would also feel the loss of Cameron Green during the series after the all-rounder batted in a plethora of roles in the UK tour.

“It’s definitely exciting for me – hopefully I get a bit more opportunity. (Marsh and Head) have got those life commitments that they’re never going to miss,” he said.

“Matt Short and I will hopefully enjoy some opening time together, and with the absence of Cam Green – that’s sort of a big hit to our one-day squad, because he’s such a versatile player that we use in so many situations.

“(The battle for a long-term ODI opening spot) is going to be a little bit between me and Matt (Short). He’s had the run of it so far, and I’m looking forward to getting my opportunity up the top and batting with him.”

Fraser-McGurk, 22, acknowledges he is likely competing with former Victorian teammate Matt Short to win a spot alongside Travis Head in a full-strength ODI side. Picture: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

After playing as a wicketkeeper in junior cricket, Fraser-McGurk confirmed he had been asked to put time into his glovework – but had no plans to take up a specialist role in any format.

“I think it just helps with selection. Instead of picking two keepers, they can pick one, and then someone who can get 20 overs done,” he said.

“If I can be good enough, and something does happen to Josh (Inglis) or Alex (Carey), I can be there and can do a good enough job to get the team over the line – take some sort of catch, or just have some impact.

“I’m not sure how I would go in a game yet, but hopefully that never has to come and our keepers can stay fit.”

Fraser-McGurk was “pretty disappointed” with being left out of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield team for a second consecutive round, but said Jake Lehmann and Daniel Drew deserved to be ahead of him in the pecking order after hitting big hundreds at second XI level last week.

Originally published as Jake Fraser-McGurk embraces opener competition with Matt Short