Jake Fraser-McGurk destroyed the West Indies as fast bowler Lance Morris broke down

A new cricket hero launched himself in Canberra and wrecked the West Indies as an injury hit a Test hopeful.

In just seven balls batting dynamo Jake Fraser-McGurk underlined why former Australian captain Aaron Finch wants him in the T20 World Cup squad this year and Steve Smith labelled him a Glenn Maxwell clone.

A side-strain to “wild thing” Lance Morris, which could rule him out of the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, was the single lowlight in Canberra as Australia recorded the fastest-ever run-chase on home soil in a mammoth eight-wicket ODI win in Canberra.

It took just 6.5 overs for the home side to reel in the chase of an embarrassingly low 86, with 259 balls, to spare after a capitulation from the tourists, amid a second-straight four wicket haul from boom bowler Xavier Bartlett, handed the Aussies a 3-0 series whitewash.

The 186 balls sent down for the match was also the sixth fewest balls bowled in a complete ODI game in the format’s history.

The run-chase was made easy after 21-year-old Fraser-McGurk broke the West Indies with the sort of big-hitting which has thrust him into realms thought unimaginable just 12 months ago.

One shot in his ODI debut in Sydney on Sunday, a flick for six in to the stands, was only an entree to the display he put at Manuka Oval as Fraser-McGurk and Josh Inglis (35 not out) made record-breaking short work of reeling in the total.

In seven destructive balls of his 16 ball innings, Fraser-McGurk swatted 31 runs including three sixes and three fours before holing out for 41 off 18 balls, his job done.

BOX OFFICE!

Jake Fraser-McGurk launches three over the fence in the over #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/vGzaRRFrul

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 6, 2024

In commentary, Isha Guha gushed the tyro was “different gravy” and Fraser-McGurk, who doesn’t know when he’ll play for Australia again having missed selection for two upcoming T20 series, said it was good to “build belief if I’m ever selected again”.

“Just knowing I can get out there and do it at the highest level,” he told Fox Cricket, undeterred by falling for just 10 on debut.

“That’s just the way I have gone about it this year and the change of mindset, it’s really helped me go out there with freedom.

“If you get your ball you always have to go for it.

“It would be nice to get through 10 overs and see what happens.”

Smith, captain for the series with a new look-squad including Fraser-McGurk, said the shots he played, and the confidence he had, reminded him of Maxwell, who has been a mentor to his former VIctorian teammate.

“He’s certainly not short of confidence. Cool to see someone come in at the age of 21 and play with such freedom and no fear at all,” Smith said.

“I’m sure he’s going to have some learnings along the way. But the way he’s playing right now is exciting for everyone to watch.

“He’s certainly got all the shots around the ground. I haven’t seen a lot of him play against spin yet but from what I’ve seen, he’s powerful. A couple of shots he actually played tonight reminded me a lot of Maxy, the way the ball was coming off the bat and the swing he has.”

The small chase was set up by Barlett who now has career figures of 8-38 in two games, both against the hapless Windies, who didn’t help themselves with an ugly run out.

Bartlett was named player of the match, and player of the series after taking 4-21 in Canberra to go with 4-17 at the MCG, the best ever bowling figures for an Australian across their opening two games.

WILD THING HURT

Morris went from the “relief” and excitement of getting his first international wicket to the despair of walking off Manuka Oval mid-over with a side strain.

The fast bowler was three balls in to his fifth over when he took his hat from the umpire and walked, then jogged off the field in Canberra.

He was met on the boundary by the physio and together they headed down the race after the 25-year-old had earlier rattled the Windies with deliveries in excess of 145kmh.

In his second match for Australia, Morris snared two wickets, the first after a sizzling catch from Marnus Labuschagne before he smashed the stumps of Windies batter Teddy Bishop.

Lance Morris has left the field midway through his over - let's hope he's ok #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/VG5Uf8qbMI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 6, 2024

Morris finished with figures of 2-13 from 4.3 overs and before going off injured said he was better prepared for game two, having finished with 0/59 from 10 overs on debut, including being hoisted for two sixes.

“Huge relief, that’s for sure. Probably wasn’t the most text book nick-off, but you take it,” Morris told Fox Cricket after his wicket.

“Marnus is a freak behind there. Having him there is a huge advantage, he’s a ball magnet.

“There’s no doubt I felt a little bit more relaxed leading in to today. Naturally when you debut there’s things going on all around you. I probably got caught up in the emotion the other day.

“It’s nice to get away nice and early today.”

Marnus Labuschagne FLIES through the air to get Lance Morris his first international wicket 👏

📺 Watch #AUSvWI on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/TdWj8lVdhF
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/ZS6mnUQKTk
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/5bRrGrIHKNpic.twitter.com/dcMeSCcido

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 6, 2024

QUESTIONABLE CALL-UP

Queenslander Ben McDermott was lifted out of a crunch Sheffield Shield clash and planted in the ODI squad after Matt Short’s hamstring injury, only to be named 12th man for the Canberra clash which was a dead-rubber.

McDermott had finished his batting duties, after making a first-innings century, but had to leave at least two teammates who had been cut down by gastro at the Gabba and fielded at less than 100 per cent in a close loss to Tasmania.

JOHNSON TEASE

The push to get Spencer Johnson into any of Australia’s whiteball teams increased after his player-of-the-match effort in Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash triumph.

But he was overlooked for Heat teammate Xavier Bartlett for the ODI series, a decision franked by his stunning 4-17 on debut at the MCG.

The left-arm seamer also missed selection for the T20 series against the West Indies and the following once against New Zealand.

He is on standby for the Windies series, with Nathan Ellis under an injury cloud, but the best national selectors could do was include him as a sub-fielder in Canberra.

At least that means he gets to wear green and gold again after racking up two T20s for Australia and a single ODI late last year.