Jake Fraser-McGurk’s mega IPL deal showcases Australia’s brutal challenge to unearth Test batsmen

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s massive Indian Premier League deal has laid bare the brutal challenge Australia faces in trying to unearth a new generation of Test batsmen.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s massive Indian Premier League deal has laid bare the brutal challenge Australia faces in trying to unearth a new generation of Test batsmen.

Despite a recent form slump Fraser-McGurk is committed to playing a highly aggressive style and why wouldn’t he given the Delhi Capitals forked out $1.6 million for his services at the weekend auction.

This sort of scenario sends a vibrant message to youngsters around Australia of the opportunities available in T20 cricket.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s mega IPL deal showcases the struggle Australia faces in unearthing future Test cricketers. Picture: Getty Images

Great as Test cricket is, there are only 11 spots available in each nation’s Test team where T20 cricket is filled with exotic leagues from the West Indies to India, England, Canada, the United States and beyond.

Four years ago Fraser-McGurk played in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa where India prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal, who decimated Australia in the Perth Test, was the standout player.

But where Jaiswal has spread his talents over all forms on the game, McGurk, who at the moment cannot get a game of Sheffield Shield cricket for South Australia, has become a white ball specialist even though he still harbours a desire to play Tests.

India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal has thrived in all three cricket formats since starring at the U19 World Cup four years ago. Jake Fraser-McGurk can’t get a Sheffield Shield start for SA. PictureL AFP

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Recently he was chosen for Australia’s 50 and 20 over sides against Pakistan but his best score in six matches was 20 against a lively Pakistan attack.

He is not in great form but when on song he can be a match-winner and Delhi is expecting he will grow into a formidable force after scoring 330 runs last season as a replacement for David Warner.

Players like Marnus Labuschagne may be fighting for their Test spot but the sobering news in that there is not a solitary batsman in the country demanding to replace him and the changing shape of world cricket is making it increasing difficult to develop heavy duty Test batsmen.

Batting coaches around the country have noticed a technical shift which has come with the rise of T20 cricket where players are happy to ignore many of the fundamental old-fashioned rules such as putting their foot to the pitch of the ball.

It’s not fashionable any more to be a Steady Eddie. Flash Harry’s are the fashionable item.

Australia’s search for future Test batsmen will only get harder.

Originally published as Jake Fraser-McGurk’s mega IPL deal showcases Australia’s brutal challenge to unearth Test batsmen