Jake Fraser-McGurk Archives

PSL 11: Rawalpindi secure Jake Fraser-McGurk as direct signing

The renamed franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Rawalpindi has directly signed Australia opener Jake Fraser-McGurk for the landmark season 11, set to start on March 26.

McGurk, 23, is a destructive top-order batter with his ability to hit the ball long and has been a prominent name around the globe in the T20 franchise circuit.

The right-handed batter has played eight T20Is for Australia.

The announcement was revealed following the historic PSL Player Auction held in Lahore on February 10.

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“From Down Under straight to streets of Rawalpindi. We’ve signed the most destructive young talent in the world as our Direct Signing,” the caption of the franchise, which is yet to be officially named, wrote.

“Jake Fraser-McGurk is officially a Pindi Boy,” it added.

He remained unpicked and failed to attract buyers in both the main and accelerated rounds of the auction, despite being listed at a base price of Rs 4.2 million.

However, his signing fee has not been disclosed yet.

For the unversed, Multan Sultans was bought by Walee Technologies with a record bid of PKR 2.45 billion, the highest in PSL history, and subsequently rebranded the team as Rawalpindi.

The franchise retained former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan in the Platinum category for PKR 5.60 crore.

England’s hard-hitting batter Sam Billings was picked in the Diamond category for PKR 3.08 crore, while pacer Zaman Khan was placed in the Gold category for PKR 1.12 crore.

Young batter Yasir Khan completes the retained list in the Silver category for PKR 60 lakh.

Rawalpindi Squad for PSL 11

Mohammad Rizwan, Sam Billings, Zaman Khan, Yasir Khan, Naseem Shah, Rishad Hossain, Daryl Mitchell, Mohammad Amir, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Dian Forrestor, Laurie Evans, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Fawad Ali, Mohammad Amir Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk

READ: Imad Wasim shares emotional note after Islamabad United pick

Steve Smith backs Jake Fraser-McGurk to perform in Champions Trophy

Australia captain Steve Smith has put his weight behind young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk heading into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on 19 February in Pakistan.

Fraser-McGurk is known for his explosive batting in domestic cricket, however, he has yet to replicate that in international cricket. So far, he has managed just 98 runs in seven ODIs at a dismal average of 14.

However, Smith has shown his faith in the young batter, highlighting his talent and ability to play big shots.

“Yeah, look, he’s obviously a very aggressive player,” Smith said after the series loss against Sri Lanka.

“He’s got all the shots around the ground, and I think it’s just about picking the right moments to play them.

“He hasn’t quite found his rhythm here, but he played a couple of nice shots, and we know the talent he possesses—that’s why he’s in this squad.”

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Steve Smith also shared his belief that the conditions in Pakistan could help Jake Fraser-McGurk regain confidence and play his natural game.

“He’s dangerous. I think the wickets in Pakistan potentially suit him, so yeah, I think he’s going to learn a lot just being around the group, continuing to work with all of us, as well as the coaches, and just talking about the game,” he added.

It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on 19 February with host and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the curtain-raiser in Karachi.

Australia will kick off their campaign against England in Lahore on 22 February, followed by the clash against South Africa on 25 February in Rawalpindi, while their last group match is scheduled against Afghanistan on 28 February in Lahore.

Meanwhile, the season finale is scheduled on 9 March in Lahore, unless India qualify, in which case it will be played in Dubai.

Australia squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

READ: Mohammad Amir opens up on Babar Azam’s promotion as opener

Australia add two reserves in T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday, confirmed the addition of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short as the travelling reserves to their preliminary squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to commence on June 1.

Explosive batter Fraser-McGurk and all-rounder Short earned a late ticket to this year’s mega event as reserves, meaning there is still no spot for Steve Smith, Jason Behrendorff and Tanveer Sangha.

Fraser-McGurk enjoyed an astounding Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Delhi Capitals as he smashed 330 runs in just nine appearances.

His purple patch was close to taking him to the T20 World Cup 2024 but the likes of David Warner, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh saw him missing out.

Similarly, Short, who has been the standout opening batter in the Big Bash League (BBL), can also bat down the order and offer a solid off-spin bowling option, but narrowly missed out on making it to Australia’s Final 15.

“You look at Jake’s form in the IPL – he took that by storm and he was a serious consideration for the final 15,” coach Andrew McDonald told cricket.com.au.

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“And so was Matthew Short. His BBL form has been outstanding over a long period of time and he’s shown glimpses at the international level as well, albeit at times he’s had to play a different role.

“When you’re on the fringes potentially you’re going to have to play different roles at different times and he’s really embraced some middle-order opportunities.

“We know that he’s best suited at the top of the order – and it’s probably similar for Jake as well – hence why they haven’t been picked in the initial 15.

“But should anything move, we feel as though both of them could have the flexibility to line up anywhere in that batting order.”

Notably, Jason Sangha was in contention to be considered for the travelling reserve spots but suffered a hip injury while training in Brisbane last week.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), 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

Travelling Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short

READ: Imad Wasim terms England series crucial for T20 World Cup preparations

Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk hits fastest List-A century

ADELAIDE: South Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk on Sunday, broke South African legend AB de Villiers’ record of the fastest century in a one-day match.

Despite having no centuries to his name in any format before Sunday, Jake Fraser-McGurk only took 29 balls to reach triple figures for the first time in professional cricket.

His astounding century came in two balls fewer than AB de Villiers’ infamous 31-ball century against West Indies in 2015.

Amid his sensational knock, Fraser-McGurk struck a total of 23 boundaries, comprising 13 sixes.

Notably, prior to his record-breaking ton, he had only smashed 18 sixes in 49 games of his budding professional career.

His impressive knock finally came to an end when Jake Weatherald caught him after he drove Beau Webster’s off-spin to midwicket in the 12th over.

Jake Fraser-McGurk went on to score 125 runs in just 38 deliveries.

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Despite his colossal knock, South Australia succumbed to a 37-run defeat against Tasmania.

Put into bat first, Tasmania recorded the highest total in the history of the Marsh Cup as they finished at 435/9, courtesy of their captain Jordan Silk’s brisk century.

Silk remained the top-scorer for Tasmania with an 85-ball 116 which featured 12 boundaries and two sixes.

Besides him, Caleb Jewell (90), Macalister Wright (51), Charlie Wakim (48), Beau Webster (42) and Jake Weatherald (35) made significant contributions.

In response, South Australia bowled out on 398 despite Jake Fraser-McGurk’s record ton as none of their other batters could pose a major threat to Tasmania.

Nathan McSweeney (62) and Daniel Drew (52) contributed to the pursuit with half-centuries but it was not enough for South Australia to pull off a famous victory.

READ: Famous pitch invader ‘Jarvo 69’ interrupts India-Australia World Cup fixture