Jake Fraser-McGurk flies home after monkey health scare
Australian teenage batting prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk is being flown home from the under-19 cricket world cup in South Africa after suffering a bizarre injury at a nature reserve.
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Victorian batting prodigy Jake Fraser-McGurk will fly home from the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa after a bizarre health scare.
The 17-year-old was scratched on the face by a monkey while on a team outing last Thursday.
He played in Australia’s loss to India yesterday in Potchefstroom, where he was run out off the first ball of the game.
Australian officials have now determined it is best for Fraser-McGurk to fly back to Australia to receive precautionary medical treatment within seven days of the incident at a nature reserve.
“I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure,” Fraser-McGurk said.
“That’s a lesson learned. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible.
“You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress,” Fraser-McGurk said. “But I’m confident we have the team to get the job done in the final two matches.
“I’d like to thank all the staff from the nature reserve and Cricket Australia for their care and support.”
Fraser-McGurk, nicknamed “Rooster”, drew national attention when he blasted half-centuries on his Sheffield Shield and one-day debuts for Victoria in November.
Australia can’t qualify for the finals after yesterday’s loss but has two more matches to play to determine rankings for the next World Cup. The Aussies will consider calling up a replacement for Fraser-McGurk.
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“We want to make sure that Jake doesn’t have any ongoing medical concerns as a result of the incident so we have taken the best course of action,” Cricket Australia’s sports science and medicine manager Alex Kountouris said.
“This involves the player returning to Australia for the treatment required within the recommended seven days of the incident taking place.
“We expect Jake will be available for selection shortly after he has completed the treatment.”