Jake Fraser-McGurk gave Aussie fans a taste of what could be to come in his innings of 41 from 18 balls in Tuesday’s ODI win over the West Indies.
Chasing just 87 for victory, Fraser-McGurk tried to get things over and done with quickly alongside opening partner Josh Inglis (35 not out off 16 balls), hitting five fours and three sixes throughout an exciting innings.
Given it’s just he’s just 21 years old and was playing in his second international game, Fraser-McGurk showed fans why Aussie selectors are so bullish about his future and Inglis described the Victorian as a freak.
BOX OFFICE!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 6, 2024
Jake Fraser-McGurk launches three over the fence in the over #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/vGzaRRFrul
Batting at the other end throughout his innings, Inglis said he had the best seat in the house as the youngster launched balls around Manuka Oval.
“He's a freak, isn't he? Honestly,” Inglis said on SEN Sportsday.
“I’ve got the best seat in the house down the other end.
“It's always tough with those small chases like that because you don't want to get out, you always want to get some red ink. When he started going hard, I was pretty happy.
“He absolutely smacked it and he's got so much talent, it's just brilliant to see it come out on the international stage.
“He's very good (in between overs). You don't want to say too much with blokes like that because you sort of just want to let him go to be free and play his way. So, I wasn't really giving him too much.
“He played it beautifully and he hit the ball so clean.”
Another new player that made his mark in the series was pace bowler Xavier Bartlett who picked up 4/21 in Canberra to go with his 4/17 in the first ODI in Melbourne.
The Queenslander was named Man of the Series for his efforts and Inglis expects the swing bowler to be a handful for international batsmen in years to come.
“He swings the ball very nicely up front and always challenges the forward defence,” Inglis said.
“He’s a handful at the top and he's bowled beautifully the whole series.
“He thoroughly deserves the Man of the Series award.”
Inglis and the Aussie white-ball side now gear up for a three-T20 series against the West Indies beginning on Friday in Hobart.
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