Australian cricket sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk sends strong message to selectors that should worry David Warner

Just days before Australia named their squad for the T20 World Cup, Jake Fraser-McGurk made an irresistible bid for a place with his latest stunning display of batting pyrotechnics in the IPL.

The 22-year-old Delhi Capitals opener smashed the Mumbai Indians attack to the tune of 84 off just 27 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, including a half-century off 15 deliveries, the fourth most quick from the annals of the IPL.

This propelled Delhi, again without David Warner still nursing an injured finger, to a massive 4-257, with Mumbai then failing by 10 runs for 9-247, despite a late burst from Tim David, with his 17-ball 37 .

Watching Fraser-McGurk from the commentary box, former Australian captain Michael Clarke could only enthuse: “The selectors must be thinking of him now, with the team just days away from being selected.” To be honest, it’s hard to leave him out given the way he’s played so far.

Australian youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk sent strong statement to T20 selectors

“I imagine conditions will be quite similar in the Caribbean, slower wickets with that extra power needed in the powerplay.” He hasn’t hurt his chances and I’d like to see him in that team of 15.’

It was breathtaking from the start as Box Hill blaster Fraser-McGurk cracked left-armer Luke Wood for fours, fours and sixes off his first three balls, then had the temerity to smashing Jasprit Bumrah in the park for the world pacer. worst IPL this season, 18.

In total, ‘JFM’ hit 11 fours and six sixes in his dazzling knock, registering the highest of his three half-centuries compiled in just five matches since coach Ricky Pointing decided to gamble on putting him in a team in trouble.

With Warner and Mitch Marsh injured, he came in for 247 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 237.50.

“He has 22 sixes and 220 of those 247 runs have come in boundaries – it’s crazy, T20 batting at a new level,” said former Indian Test star Sanjay Manjrekar.

Fraser-McGurk, who had even looked set to break Chris Gayle’s IPL 30-ball century record until he finished with one big shot too many, just received all the applause – not to mention JFM masks in the crowd. – with a pinch of salt.

“That’s my role,” he shrugged, after shooting a score of 78 in the six-man power play. “Go out and score as many goals as you can in the top six and if I keep going, I keep going.

“Not at all,” he smiled when asked if he was a player likely to nudge a single. “If I get one or two, then it’s probably the last ball of the over – or I miss it.”

The 22-year-old demolished the Mumbai Indians attack to the tune of 84 off just 27 balls at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.

But T20 cricket can be fickle. In the day’s other match in Lucknow, Marcus Stoinis, fresh from his brilliant 124no against Chennai, was bowled for a four-ball duck by Sandeep Sharma as his Justin Langer-coached Super Giants were beaten by seven wickets at the head of the table. Rajasthan Royals.

After captain KL Rahul led the way for Lucknow with a 48-ball 76 in his 5-196, Rajasthan made light work of a sizable chase, led by captain Sanju Samson’s 71no and 54no from Dhruv Jurel in an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership. of 121.