Australian cricketer Fraser-McGurk attacked by monkey

Australian batting young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk is heading home from South Africa after being attacked by a monkey.

Fraser-McGurk, 17, one of the country's brightest young batting talents, was scratched on the face by the monkey while visiting a nature reserve near Kimberley on a team outing last Thursday following a match during the under-19 World Cup, taking place in the country.

Scratched: Jake Fraser-McGurk.Credit: Getty Images

While he was well enough to play in Australia's quarter-final loss to India on Tuesday night, Cricket Australia has decided to send him back to Australia as a precaution, meaning he will miss Australia's consolation game against Afghanistan or Pakistan on Sunday.

CA explained that Fraser-McGurk was advised to have treatment in Australia within seven days of the incident.

"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," CA's sports medicine chief 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."

CA said Fraser-McGurk would have returned home regardless of the result of Tuesday night's match, and that the course of action of was decided after consultation with his family in Australia.

Fraser-McGurk said he took responsibility for getting too close to the monkey.

"You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress," he said.

"But I'm confident we have the team to get the job done in the final two matches.

I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure.

Jake Fraser-McGurk

"I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure. That's a lesson learnt. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible.

"I'd like to thank all the staff from the nature reserve and Cricket Australia for their care and support."

Fraser-McGurk made a diamond duck in the loss to India. The teenager made his debut for Victoria this season, making half centuries in both the Sheffield Shield and one-day competitions.