Pacer Josh Hazlewood believes there was no place to fit power-hitter Jake Fraser-McGurk in the Australia T20 World Cup squad as it would have meant tinkering with the already-settled top order. Fraser-McGurk was given the raw end of the deal by Australian selectors who did not name in the 15-member provisional squad, announced last week. 

Fraser-McGurk has scored 259 runs in the first six innings of the IPL 2024, at an average of 43.16 and a strike rate of 158.56, with three half-centuries to his name. Many had anticipated that the batter would be an automatic choice for the Australian squad for the World Cup but the selectors managed to spring a surprise. 

“Where do you fit him in? It’s so tough to fit into that top order with what we’ve got there with experience with Travis [Head], Mitch [Marsh] and Davey [Warner] in the top three, and then the middle order’s pretty good as well,” said Hazlewood. 

“He’ll definitely get his time. He’s only young. He’ll be in the team sooner rather than later, I think,” added Hazlewood. 

Prior to the squad announcement, former Australian cricketers such as Mark Waugh and Michael Clarke batted extensively for Fraser-McGurk to be included in the 15. 

“Should be the first name on the sheet. Absolute certainty to be picked and open the batting in the World Cup,” Waugh posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

Meanwhile, Clarke said at the time: “The selectors have to be thinking about him now, with the team just a few days away from being selected. It’s hard to leave him out, to be honest, the way he’s played so far.”

Mitchell Marsh will lead the 15-member pack in the USA, having first led during the South Africa tour in September 2023. According to Cricket Australia, Marsh is fit and will lead the side despite being unfit and not available for Delhi Capitals during the Indian Premier League.

Apart from Fraser-McGurk, former captain Steve Smith has also been dropped out of the World Cup squad. Having already won the 50-over World Cup in India last year, Australia will be hoping to do the double, having won their first T20 World Cup trophy in 2021. 

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa

(With inputs from agencies)