The next big thing or Australia's greatest all-format opener? Paine answers Australia's biggest selection conundrum
Former national captain Tim Paine is sticking with David Warner as his pick to open for Australia in the T20 World Cup – but admits Jake Fraser-McGurk’s form is irresistible.
Fraser-McGurk’s start to the IPL season for the Delhi Capitals has been electrifying, with the 22-year-old Victorian stunning the likes of Gerard Whateley with his power hitting.
The burst of form has come at an intriguing time given Australia’s T20 World Cup squad is set to be announced later this week.
Whateley has described Fraser-McGurk’s selection as a rhetorical question given the right-hander’s IPL average of 43.17 through six games, but Paine is sticking with Australia’s second-most successful T20I batter in Warner.
“Right now, it would be Travis Head and David Warner,” Paine said on SEN Tassie Breakfast when asked who his openers are for the June tournament.
“Absolutely (Fraser-McGurk) is breathing down their necks… I think his form is irresistible… but I’ve said this time and time again, you’d be a brave person to write off David Warner, because he has done it time and time again when his back is against the wall and World Cups are usually right in his wheelhouse.
“However, having said that, this kid is on another planet at the moment and I’d be finding it very hard to leave him out (of the squad).”
Fraser-McGurk has never played T20Is for Australia, but featured in two eye-catching ODI cameos for Australia earlier in 2024. It came after he was named in the BBL|13 team of the tournament.
Warner is currently sidelined with a finger injury and may not play again until the World Cup.
Reports from News Corp have suggested Warner will be preferred when the squad drops later this week. But should that be the case, Paine believes there will still be plenty of pressure on the 37-year-old to perform.
Some of these stats are mind-blowing 🤯@GerardWhateley on Monday made the case for Jake Fraser-McGurk to be selected in Australia's World Cup squad.@WhateleySEN | #Cricket pic.twitter.com/fjeuV3AK0b
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) April 30, 2024
“Even if they do leave him out, I think Davey is going to have to fire in the first game or two. If he (Fraser-McGurk) continues batting like he is in the next seven or eight games… he is devastating attacks at the moment,” Paine added.
“If he’s sitting on the bench and one of your openers isn’t firing, you’d be kicking yourself.
“The talent he’s got is incredible, but his mindset and confidence matches it. When you get that perfect combination, particularly in T20, my god is he dangerous at the moment.
“The IPL is no mug’s league… he’s facing the best bowlers around the world and is smashing them.”
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be played across the USA and West Indies, with Australia’s first game coming against Oman on June 6.