Jake Fraser-McGurk sets UAE T20 league alight

The rise of Jake Fraser-McGurk has continued in Dubai, cleaning up messes left by his captain and Australian legend David Warner.

It’s taken just 51 balls in his first overseas stint for Jake Fraser-McGurk to show the wait was worth it for Australian cricket and just how good the future looks.

Twice in three games in the ILT20 league in the United Arab Emirates, the 21-year-old has rescued his Dubai Capitals outfit after misfires by his captain, David Warner, and their contrasting numbers could provide food for thought for national selectors.

Already recognised for his breakthrough Big Bash with a call-up to the Australian ODI squad, and a potential debut at the MCG next Friday, Fraser-McGurk has lit up the UAE tournament and in just three innings for the Dubai Capitals is top five on the run-scorers list.

In those three innings, Fraser McGurk has blasted scores of 54, 14 and 41, his 109 runs coming off just 51 balls. His nine sixes are bettered only by West Indian slugger Nicholas Pooran in the tournament so far.

Twice Fraser-McGurk, who holds the world record for the fastest century ever recorded in 50-over cricket, a record he achieved last October for South Australia, has been at the crease after a Warner failure.

Technique ➡ 💯%
Impact ➡ 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣%#SoarHighDubai#WeAreCapitals#DPWorldILT20#DCvADKRpic.twitter.com/oOeN50Fz3L

— Dubai Capitals (@Dubai_Capitals) January 25, 2024

His Capitals captain has battled in his early innings as a T20 freelancer, with a score of 20 bookended by efforts of just one and then a two-ball duck in his latest venture to the crease.

Warner, who turned 37 in October and has faced 36 balls in Dubai for a total of 21 runs, is without a six and has hit just two fours.

Despite his lean beginning to the tournament, Warner is adamant there is better to come.

“If I get past three overs, watch out,” he said post-match, smiling.

Such has been his hot streak, Fraser-McGurk has become the poster boy for his franchise, featuring in multiple social media posts and even lauded as the “coolest player of the match” after his 41 off just 17 balls overnight.

Composure ✅
Power ✅
Winning Mentality ✅

Jake Fraser-McGurk is the deserved winner of the @EncalmIndia 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 🚀#SoarHighDubai#WeAreCapitals#DPWorldILT20#DCvADKRpic.twitter.com/qRWbBk3Mav

— Dubai Capitals (@Dubai_Capitals) January 25, 2024

Among the other Australians playing in the league, Tim David, who held onto his spot in the Australian T20 squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies, has just 68 runs and Chris Lynn 63 as the nest best Aussies behind Fraser-McGurk.

Fraser-McGurk will be in action again on Sunday before returning to Australia to link with the ODI squad. National selectors are likely to tap into Fraser-McGurk’s momentum and hand him an ODI debut.

And in a T20 World Cup year, more runs could mean the rise of the “Rooster” continues.