Jake Fraser-McGurk turns heads at training but focus is on Bangladesh’s Aussie insiders

With a head coach and assistant coach who have worked closely with the core of the Australian team, and a history of recent boilovers, Bangladesh pose a real threat to Mitchell Marsh’s men, writes BEN HORNE.

Australia took a shock glance into the crystal ball by handing Jake Fraser-McGurk the wicketkeeping gloves at training, but the immediate focus is on a Bangladesh team coached by a green and gold insider.

The T20 World Cup essentially starts again on Friday morning AEST as Australia prepares to launch into the Super Eights stage in Antigua against a spirited Bangladesh side that rocked them in 2017 in Test matches and then again in 2021 in a defining Twenty20 series.

Bangladesh is coached by recently departed NSW assistant Chandika Hathurusingha who is as familiar with the inner-workings of David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood as just about any international coach at this World Cup.

Furthermore, the Bangladesh bowling coach is former Kiwi international Andre Adams who had a great rapport with Starc during his own tenure at Cricket NSW.

Bangladesh's head coach Chandika Hathurusingha (L) and bowling coach Andre Adams (R) have both had stints with NSW. Picture: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP

Hathurusingha admits he knows the “strengths and weaknesses” of the Australian superstars intimately, but is adamant the conditions served up in Antigua for what will be late Thursday night local time will hold the key to whether Bangladesh can cause another famous boilover.

“It was 12 months ago I was there with them (at NSW). I know a lot of the guys,” Hathurusingha said.

“They’re very good players and they’re very confident about their own game.

“We know a lot about their strengths and weaknesses. That’s not going to help much, but on the day, conditions is the biggest factor in this game.

“Our focus is how we use those conditions to our advantage. That’s the main thing we’re talking about.”

Bangladesh have enjoyed some momentous triumphs over Australia in recent years and coach Hathurusingha insists his players are armed with the necessary self-belief to upset one of the tournament favourites.

“That kind of planning and decision-making (from previous wins over Australia) gives them a lot of belief that we are not afraid to make decisions and be brave,” Hathurusingha said.

“You can compete with them. We definitely do talk about those kind of things that we might make some bold decisions.

“That’s what we believe and we are going to do that.”

Chandika Hathurusingha has had several stints with NSW. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Australia had a light final training session, with players just topping up with what they need ahead of the Bangladeshi clash which should play out on a good batting wicket.

The only eye-catching part of the Australian session was the sight of young superstar Fraser-McGurk taking the gloves for a keeping session with fielding coach, Andre Borovec.

Fraser-McGurk is not in the World Cup squad and is a travelling reserve, but appears destined to be a huge fixture in the Australian white ball squads in the future.

The concept that Fraser-McGurk could even be skilled enough to take the gloves is a tantalising prospect given the flexibility that could potentially give a team lower down the order.

Fraser-McGurk has had experience as a keeper coming through the ranks, but one training session is far too premature to be predicting what, if anything, the experiment might mean – particularly given ODI keeper Josh Inglis is well established as the man to take over current T20 gloveman Matthew Wade when he finishes up.

With the squad as a travelling reserve, Jake Fraser-McGurk donned the gloves at training on Wednesday. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

South Africa posted 194 against the USA in their match on Wednesday and the Americans only fell 18 runs short in their chase.

These batting friendly conditions should favour Australia, who won’t unveil their team until the toss – but are expected to play three fast bowlers along with leg-spinner Adam Zampa.

Captain Mitchell Marsh announced he has officially been passed fit to bowl in the Super Eights, but won’t be rushing to inject himself as Australia paid homage to Bangladesh’s threat as an opposition.

“With the line-up that we’ve got I don’t really necessarily see the need for me to bowl, but I think it’s really important in this format to have options and we’re blessed with plenty of those,” Marsh said.

“For any team in the World Cup to make the Super Eights they’re obviously playing some good cricket. And we know in these conditions Bangladesh are a strong team. We have a lot of respect for them. Hopefully we can bring our A game.”