BBL: Teen star Jake Fraser-McGurk takes batting confidence from spectacular catch

Teen star Jake Fraser-McGurk reveals what he was thinking when he took the catch of the BBL season so far.

Jake Fraser-McGurk takes a stunning catch for the Melbourne Renegades.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s early contender for catch of the summer could propel him to some of the big batting innings his Melbourne Renegades coach Davis Saker is adamant the teen star is capable of.

A stunning one-handed grab on the boundary line at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night helped propel the Renegades to a first-up Big Bash win over Adelaide and could be the confidence booster 19-year-old Fraser-McGurk needs after a shaky start with the bat,

Lauded as the next Glenn Maxwell before the match, Fraser-McGurk was out for just eight off 11 balls after coming at number three for his team, which was without star batters Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh.

Fraser-McGurk said there “nothing more nerve-racking” than fielding in the BBL and was adamant the stunning catch could build his confidence for next time he goes out to bat.

“If I took that catch then batted, I would have batted a lot better than I did. It definitely can help,” he said after his epic catch.

“There’s nothing more nerve-racking than fielding in a BBL game. You are running everywhere and then you have to field it, have to be on, you have the crowd, when you are new to the professional game it can be hard.

“Knowing you can take catches and field well is good for the confidence and good going forward.”

Jake Fraser-McGurk plucks an INSANE grab!! #BBL11pic.twitter.com/YT18EE0BBR

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 7, 2021

With the number 23 made famous by basketball legend Michael Jordan on his red jersey, Fraser-McGurk took a one-step jump, then thrust his right arm skywards to latch on to a slog sweep from Strikers batsman Jake Weatherald that left the commentators in awe.

“That’s one of the best outfield catches you will ever see,” former Test wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who took a few classics of his own, told Fox Cricket.

Fraser-McGurk said he practised boundary-line catches, but being able to leap so high came as a bit of a shock.

“It’s pretty lucky to have the number 23, that kind of suits it. But I’ve got a pretty bad vertical (leap),” he said.

“I’m known for having one of the worst jumps in the Vic program. To take one like that is pretty funny.

Jake Fraser-McGurk celebrates taking a screamer to dismiss Jake Weatherald. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“It was a bit of a throw (his hand) up there and hope it goes in. I’m pretty happy about it.”

Fraser-McGurk was also happy to be involved in what turned out to be a big moment for his team after back-to-back wooden spoons in the past two seasons.

“Everyone noticed it was a pretty big moment in the game. Something like that can change the way the game goes,” he said

“To get up in the end and start our season with a win is unbelievable. Pretty big moment in the game, to get a wicket is good, to get a wicket like that is even better.”

The Renegades will be without former captain Aaron Finch for the re-match with the Strikers in Adelaide on Thursday as he continues to nurse a knee injury.