After criticism from former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy, Australian batting star Jake Fraser-McGurk has defended his aggressive hitting approach ahead of Friday’s second ODI match against Pakistan in Adelaide.
The 22-year-old, who has become as one of the most talked-about young players, came under fire following his 16-run Melbourne maiden ODI innings. Healy had been harshly critical of Fraser-McGurk and fellow opener Matt Short’s style, likening their batting to bullies in the playground and feeling that their pride was interfering with good cricket.
For even 30 minutes, the [Australian] boys’ egos couldn’t be contained. It’s being handled like a schoolboy game of cricket. In my opinion, juniors Matt Short (1) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (16) were [playing] like schoolyard bullies, and their shot selection was subpar. From a cricket system that invests far more than it appears, it is insufficient,” Healy told SEN.
We were chosen to be combative right away: Jake Fraser-McGurk
Aggressive hitting was the exact reason he and Short were chosen for the team, the young hitter, who made headlines with his record-breaking 29-ball century for South Australia last year and with some outstanding performances in franchise cricket, said.
“Not at all, no. The way we want to play cricket is evolving, and we are focusing on the opening 10 overs rather than eking out 240 or 250. Fraser-McGurk responded, “If we start off strong in the first ten, it creates a good foundation for the middle boys to help us surpass those totals.
The right-hander’s recent achievements, such as his explosive 41 off 18 balls against the West Indies and his outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League, have demonstrated his potential. Even though a poorly timed pull shot led to his expulsion in Melbourne, he remains hopeful about the team’s ambitious objectives.
“Shorty and I are free to go play the way we do. That’s the reason we were chosen. He continued, “[We are] told to be aggressive at the beginning.
Regarding the Adelaide game, Fraser-McGurk is not very worried about Pakistan’s short-ball strategies, which caused problems for Australian hitters in Melbourne. He views Adelaide Oval’s shorter square bounds as an opportunity rather than a problem.
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“I think that, especially with a new ball, Shorty and I wouldn’t mind using a short-ball strategy early. They are elite bowlers, and their use of the short-ball strategy in the last match was clearly successful. Our hitters, however, are prepared for what they will bring,” Fraser-McGurk said in closing.
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