Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting shed the spotlight on Australia’s new sensation and 22-year-old opening batter, Jake Fraser-McGurk, highlighting him as a potential replacement for the now retired David Warner.

Warner who had been an instrumental part of Australia’s international setup in all three formats for the past decade, leaves a major void in the team’s top order following his retirement.

However, Ponting, who is considered to be one of the greatest captains in the game’s history, has also proven to be a pundit with immense knowledge and ability to read the game, has identified the youngster as Australia’s future.

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Ahead of Australia’s white-ball Ashes series against England, which consists of 3 T20Is and 5 ODI matches, Ponting previewed some of the new faces in the team’s squad list and discussed in detail about each of the four youngsters.

What did Ricky Ponting say about Jake Fraser-McGurk’s potential as a replacement for David Warner in the Australia team?

The former Australia captain was speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast where he was joined by former England captains and now pundits, Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain.

He was asked to provide a short preview of each of Australia’s four main youngsters – Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who are expected to feature in the T20I and ODI series against England.

Ponting took a particualr interest in Fraser-McGurk, as he had shown interest in the youngster’s ability a couple of years ago, for which reason he drafted the 22-year-old batter to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a part of the Delhi Capitals.

“Jake Fraser McGurk. He hasn’t been there yet [as replacement for David Warner] as he has not set the international scene on fire yet, but he will. I have known him for a few years now, obviously seen the cameos that he has played in the Big Bash, and we got him to Delhi [Capitals] last year in the IPL,” he said.

“Some of the things that he did there were absolutely incredible. He hits the ball as hard and cleanly as good as the players I’ve ever seen. He is natural cricketer and a gun on the field. He needs a refinement in his batting, with a stance almost like a baseball player,” Ponting added.

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After Atherton had earlier question Ponting on whether he saw signs of similarity between Fraser-McGurk and now retired David Warner, the Australian agreed with the former’s assessment. 

“He is a bit like David Warner, as you said a Warner replacement – where they are at the same age, I think they are both similar. Noone really thought Davey would burst into the scene in T20s and then turn into a Test match opener but when you’ve got such a ball-striking talent and skill, you can do it,” he noted.

“That is going to Jake’s thing, if he wants to, if he has the dream to want to play Test cricket,” he added.

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What did Ricky Pointing say about Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartley ahead of England vs Australia Ashes series?

“Cooper Connolly might be 19-20 years of age now; left-arm off-spinner, left-handed batsman, won the Big Bash final for Perth Scorchers two seasons ago. Came in at number 7 or number 8 and scored 45 runs off 3 overs, and pretty much got them all by himself. Incredible hitting display from a young kid.”

“Aaron Hardy is another Western Australian, 6’4 ft allrounder, a top order batsman predominantly in first class cricket and in Big Bash, where he has captained the Perth Scorchers. He can open the bowling and shape the new ball, at 130 kmph, but very dynamic. He is almost a Cameron Green-sort of player but not quite as talented or quick as Green.”

“Xavier Bartlett sort of burst on to the scene in the One-Day cricket in Australia last summer against West Indies. He is Queenslander, so growing up in Brisbane, he is good swing bowler, just under 140kmph. He has got a future in all formats for Australia.”

The first of three T20Is between England and Australia is scheduled to start on September 11, 2024, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton

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