Big-hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk will go to the Twenty20 World Cup as a reserve batsman for the Australia squad.

Fraser-McGurk’s eye-catching IPL scoring has been recognised with a reserve slot while versatile Matt Short will be Australia’s other travelling emergency.

Chair of selectors George Bailey says the duo will travel with the previously announced 15-man squad for the tournament in the West Indies and United States starting next month.

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“Matt and Jake made compelling cases for initial selection with their respective performances for Australia last summer and, in Jake’s case, more recently in the IPL,” Bailey said on Tuesday.

“As the tournament proceeds, the short turnaround between fixtures makes it challenging to get players in at short notice in the event of injury.

“Matt provides the squad with an all-round skillset option while Jake provides further batting cover.

“Both players have exciting talents that can add to the squad if needed.

“If not, the experience will still be valuable in their respective development journeys at international level.”

Fraser-McGurk made 330 runs including four half-centuries at a stunning strike-rate of 234 for the Delhi Capitals in the just-completed IPL.

Fans were left fuming after the original decision to leave him out of the squad and back in veteran David Warner.

Warner, 37, is currently recovering from a hand injury, while captain Mitch Marsh is battling a hamstring complaint.

But Warner’s form was also patchy in the IPL with coach Ricky Ponting at one point dropping him from his Delhi Capitals line-up.

After the latest news, fans were thrilled.

“Exciting news indeed! Jake Fraser-McGurk has a bright future ahead,” one fan said on social media.

Another said: “Bad news for other teams.”

While the KFC Big Bash account declared: “Two superstars of the BBL are heading to the Caribbean …”

Australia will play Namibia and West Indies in warm-up matches at Queens Park Oval in the Port of Spain next week.

The full Australian squad, however, is not expected to be available.

Australia’s T20 World Cup Squad

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa. Reserves: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk.

– With Cameron Noakes