Teenager Jake Fraser-McGurk to become Victoria’s youngest Sheffield Shield debutant since 2001
Victoria will debut two rising stars in its Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland this week, including the state’s youngest debutant since Cameron White 18 years ago.
Vic Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Vic Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Teenager Jake Fraser-McGurk will become the youngest Victorian debutant since Cameron White 18 years ago against Queensland.
Fraser-McGurk, who will wear the No. 23 made famous by Shane Warne on debut for Victoria, has been called up to replace Nic Maddinson after scores of 130 against Queensland and 78 against South Australia in the Second XI.
The 17-year-old has made 211 runs at an average of 52.8 for the Victorian Second XI this summer.
“It’s pretty surreal, last year I was coming to the MCG to watch Shield games and now to get the chance to play is very exciting,” Fraser-McGurk said.
The Melbourne Renegades Big Bash League rookie plays in Melbourne’s east for Monash Tigers and showcased his talents with 425 runs — including a tournament-high 177 — at last summer’s Under-17 National Championships.
Fraser-McGurk is a learner driver and was in the car with his mum when he received a call from Victoria’s chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch.
He said wearing Warne’s number for his home state would be “pretty special”.
“I wear No. 23 for a lot of teams but I’m very excited to get his number,” he said.
“He (Warne) was obviously a great player for such a long time so to get that number is pretty special.”
MORE CRICKET NEWS:
Australian prospect Will Pucovski declares his love of red-ball cricket as possible Test debut looms
Test squad v Pakistan: Breaking down the five leading contenders for Australian Test batting spots
Fraser-McGurk will be one of two debutants for Victoria, with all-rounder Will Sutherland to play his first Sheffield Shield game.
The son of former Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, Will has impressed in List A games this season, taking seven wickets in five-one dayers and hitting a half-century. He captained Victoria in a second XI game against SA and featured with Fraser-McGurk in the Cricket Australia side that played against Pakistan on October 31.
VICTORIA’S YOUNGEST FIRST-CLASS DEBUTANTS
Gerry Hazlitt 17 years 117 days
Cameron White 17 years 203 days
Jake Fraser-McGurk 17 years 215 days