Two rising talents from the Big Bash League’s (BBL) 2023–24 season, Jake Fraser–McGurk and Xavier Bartlett, have received their first call-ups to Australia for their forthcoming home three-match ODI series versus the West Indies.
They will take the place of injured Jhye Richardson and Glenn Maxwell, whom Cricket Australia (CA) stated is being “managed.” During the BBL, the latter had a left side strain that halted his season and sidelined him for many weeks. One of the most intriguing prospects in the nation is Fraser-McGurk. The right-hander is a terrific big-hitter along the leg side with a beautiful bat stroke. For the Melbourne Renegades, he amassed 257 runs at a strike average of 158.64 in eight innings. .
Meanwhile, Xavier Bartlett has taken the most wickets this season thus far. He has taken 17 wickets for the Brisbane Heat with an average of 14.82 from nine matches, thanks to his ability to bowl a well-balanced blend of yorkers as well as cutters towards the end of a tall action and swing the brand-new white ball with consistency.
The Australians rested all three front-line seamers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, for the rubber, so he will have a great opportunity to make an impression in the three ODIs, which start on February 2.
Maxwell’s praise about Fraser-McGurk and full ODI squad
Glenn Maxwell has been an admarent witness of the ability of the young Australian batter Jake Fraser-Mcgurk. This year has been a great one for the youngster as he was a big positive in yet another disappointing season for the Melbourne Renegades.
Glenn Maxwell said, “No one in Australia is better to watch then Fraser-Mcgurk. Easily the most talented young batter in the country. His potential doesn’t actually have a ceiling. #rooster ?,” he wrote on X in December last year.”
Full Australia Squad for ODI series against West Indies – Steven Smith (C), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (WK), Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lance Morris, Matt Short and Adam Zampa.
