Australia is poised to exclude seasoned batsman Steve Smith from their ICC T20 World Cup squad, signaling a potential end to his T20 international career. Despite featuring in the T20I series against New Zealand, Smith’s performance in the shortest format has been underwhelming, leading to his exclusion from the Australian squad for the upcoming tournament in the USA.
Known for his proficiency in Test and ODI cricket, Smith’s approach of building innings and anchoring the batting has been considered unsuitable for the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, where aggressive and quick-scoring batsmen are preferred.
In Smith’s place, the exciting 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to receive his first national team call-up. Fraser-McGurk has been a revelation for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024, showcasing his explosive batting skills and adaptability to the T20 format. With an impressive strike rate of 237.50, Fraser-McGurk has scored 247 runs in just 5 games, underlining his ability to hit boundaries and sixes consistently.
Fraser-McGurk’s inclusion is seen as a strategic move by Australia to infuse fresh talent and dynamism into their batting lineup. His aggressive style of play and ability to accelerate the scoring rate from the outset align well with the demands of T20 cricket, making him a valuable asset for Australia’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
