How Australia’s young cricket star Fraser-McGurk deals with the pressure of expectation

Australia’s brightest young cricket star is undoubtedly top-order batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk.

The 22-year-old was rushed into national duties last summer due to his white ball form for South Australia and the Melbourne Renegades and he’s since gone on to play four T20Is and two ODIs in the green and gold.

Fraser-McGurk was one of the young names picked for Australia’s recent T20 tours of Scotland and England and after making just 16 runs from three innings against Scotland, he began to feel the pressure.

While Fraser-McGurk was under the pump, he dealt with that heat once he returned to the side against England, helping himself to 50 from 31 balls at Cardiff in a strong outing.

Simply put, the youngster is taking all the pressure that comes with being the next big thing in Aussie cricket in his stride.

“With pressure, I sort of found out about how I deal with it recently, “ Fraser-McGurk told SEN The Run Home

“I had that sort of bad series against Scotland and then got an opportunity against England and bounced back.

“(What I learned is) pressure is privilege. If people put a lot of pressure on you, you must be in a pretty privileged situation.”

On top of the strides he’s making in the international game, Fraser-McGurk was a standout in last season’s IPL for the Delhi Capitals.

After averaging 36.66 at a ridiculous strike rate of 234.04, Fraser-McGurk is hoping to head back to India next year and continue his blistering form in the world’s leading T20 competition.

“I think in the IPL, getting back to that was quite enjoyable as well, it was good conditions for batting,” Fraser-McGurk said.

“Hopefully I get back there next year and do something quite similar, if not more.”

Fraser-McGurk now gears up for an Aussie home summer with South Australia and the Renegades, who he penned a four-year deal with in January.

Listen to his full chat with Andy and Gazey below.

Melburnians, head down to Federation Square on Saturday, October 5 from 3 pm for the Cricket Australia Fan Festival.

Meet and greet Fraser-McGurk as well as some of the biggest names in cricket including the great Glenn Maxwell, former quick Damien Fleming, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan and Aussie women’s U19 star Hasrat Gill.

Entry is free and fans will be treated to On-stage interviews, autograph sessions, cricket activities, prizes and giveaways and much more!