Batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk has reminded Aussie selectors what they might be missing at the World Cup with another rapid IPL knock
Match Report:
ScorecardPonting heaps praise on JFM after fourth IPL fifty
Jake Fraser-McGurk has quickly put missing Australia's T20 World Cup squad behind him with another rapid half-century to power Delhi Capitals to victory in the Indian Premier League.
The young gun bat will have been pretty pleased at his response to the snub โ blasting a 19-ball fifty in his first match after the selection was revealed to underline what Australia may miss when they head to the T20 World Cup without him.
Fraser-McGurk got to the landmark by smashing 4-4-4-6-4-6 in one over from Avesh Khan.
He was out next ball, mishitting a full toss from Ravichandran Ashwin (3-24) to cover, but he had made his point.
The 22-year-old 's fourth half-century in seven IPL innings had also set Ricky Ponting's Capitals on the way to a 20-run win against Rajasthan Royals.
JFM show in Delhi! ๐ฅ
โ IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
He departs not before another breathtaking FIFTY off just 19 balls ๐๐
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia ๐ป๐ฑ#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/T9XzoNLYxq
With fellow opener Abishek Porel making 65 off 36 balls Capitals made 8-221 from their 20 overs.
That looked as if it would be comfortably enough when Royals openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler were out in the Powerplay, but visiting skipper Sanju Samsom had other ideas.ย
He was on 86 off 44 balls, keeping Royals very much in contention, when he was brilliantly โ and controversially โ caught by Shai Hope on the boundary.
The West Indian showed nimble footwork as he skirted the boundary cushion โ though not nimble enough in Samsom's view.
Game of margins! ๐ฎ
โ IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
A splendid catch that raises the ๐๐๐๐ for the Delhi Capitals ๐
Sanju Samson departs after an excellent 86(46) ๐
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema ๐ป๐ฑ#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/rhLhfBmyEZ
The third umpire disagreed and after Samsom left the Royals gradually faded away, closing on 8-201.
Fraser-McGurk made his runs despite taking a debilitating blow to a vulnerable part of his anatomy, and Ponting said of him: "He's hardly put a foot wrong since he's been here.
"He hasn't surprised me with what he's done. I had a good look at him in the BBL and knew what he was capable of."
IPL 2024 standings
Australians in IPL 2024
Delhi Capitals: Mitch Marsh (A$1.2m), David Warner (A$1.16m), Jhye Richardson (A$890,000), Jake Fraser-McGurk (A$92,000)
Gujarat Titans: Spencer Johnson (A$1.78m), Matthew Wade (A$446,000)
Kolkata Knight Riders: Mitchell Starc (A$4.43m)
Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis (A$1.7m), Ashton Turner (A$178,000)
Mumbai Indians: Tim David (A$1.53m)
Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis (A$135,000)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Cameron Green (A$3.15m), Glenn Maxwell (A$2m)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (A$3.67m), Travis Head (A$1.2m)
*Prices in AUD, conversions correct at time of auction