Jake Fraser-McGurk taking no heed of legend Ian Healy’s criticism of approach against Pakistan in the first One-Day International
Labelled a ‘schoolyard bully’ by an Australian cricket legend has not unsettled the exciting firebrand Jake Fraser-McGurk, and the way he plays, ahead of his next assignment against Pakistan on Friday.
Jake Fraser-McGurk says he will take no heed of criticism from wicketkeeping great Ian Healy, with emerging opener set to back in his natural game despite a cheap dismissal in the first one-day international against Pakistan.
Former Australian gloveman and vice-captain Healy described Fraser-McGurk and opening partner Matt Short as “schoolyard bullies” after they fell for 16 and one respectively looking to attack Pakistani quicks during the Aussies’ ultimately successful run chase at the MCG on Monday night.
“The disregard for the conditions wasn’t good enough,” Healy told SEN on Tuesday.
But Fraser-McGurk said he and Short would continue to play aggressively as they seek to entrench their positions in Australia’s white-ball sides in the absence of Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, both of whom are missing this three-match series for the births of their respective children.
“The game’s changing, and that’s sort of the way we want to play our cricket, take on the first 10 overs,” Fraser-McGurk said on Thursday in Adelaide ahead of the second ODI on Friday.
“Instead of scrapping to 240-250, which aren’t really winnable scores out here, getting towards more of the high 300s mark is more of a winnable total, we think.
“If we get off to a flyer in the first 10, then that sets up a nice platform for the boys in the middle to get us past those totals.
“Me and Shorty can go out there and play the way we play. That’s why we’ve been picked. [We are] instructed to be aggressive at the start.”
Fraser-McGurk argued that having steadying players like Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne below him in the batting order paved the way for the openers to play their shots.
“When you’ve got ‘Smudge’ (Smith) and ‘Marn’ (Labuschagne) coming out after you, it allows me to go out there with even more freedom, if you want to think about it like that,” Fraser-McGurk said.
“You’ve got those two world-class batters there, so me and Shorty can go out there and play the way we play.”
After a rapid ascension over the past 18 months since moving to South Australia for Victoria during which he has been capped in both white-ball formats and then starred for the Delhi Capitals in his maiden Indian Premier League stint, Fraser-McGurk said he was looking forward to playing at his adopted home ground.
“It’s an awesome ground, I love playing out here,” Fraser-McGurk said.
“I haven’t played a lot of cricket out here, I’ve played more at Karen Rolton (Oval) across the road but every chance I get to play at Adelaide Oval I take it in both hands. It’s a lovely oval, it’s probably the best in the world I think.
“I don’t think I’d get any of these opportunities if I stayed in Victoria and played club cricket there.
“The move here has been great. I’ve loved every minute of it and the boys in South Australia have been very welcoming. It’s such a great environment to be around, such a great culture.”
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