• By Ankit Bisht
  • Thu, 02 May 2024 08:11 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey has justified the decision to leave explosive batter Jake Fraser-McGurk out of their T20 World Cup 2024 squad, citing the fact that David Warner and the other top three batters have been performing well.

Australia picked Warner, Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh in the top-three lineup. Fraser-McGurk has turned eyeballs with his hard-hitting for Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2024.

"The way we're functioning at the top of the order with the three guys we've had, they've been really strong," Bailey was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

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Meanwhile, Warner and captain Marsh are both recovering from injuries. After experiencing hamstring pain during the IPL, Marsh returned to Australia, and Warner is reportedly experiencing "some deep-seated bone bruising."

However, Bailey called the swashbuckling batter's recent IPL form 'eye catching'. The 22-year-old Fraser-McGurk has already scored 259 runs in six matches, including a scintillating 84 from just 27 balls, sending the ball soaring over the ropes six times in that knock.

"....the performance he's putting up are certainly eye catching. He's really eager to learn and keep growing his game.

"He's certainly not someone who thinks he's got it all made and is the complete package. So I think that's really exciting going forward."

Bailey was not sure when Warner will be back in action.

"It's some deep-seated bone bruising. It's going to take a little bit of time, but I don't think anyone's been able to give him a really definitive answer on how long that'll be," said Bailey.

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Bailey suggested the reserve players were likely to be Matt Short, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha.

Meanwhile, Marsh told Sen Radio, "We have got all bases covered within our team. Heady (Travis Head) and David Warner have been fantastic for us, not only for a long period of time but over the last 18 months, building towards this World Cup.

"We are comfortable that we have got the right 15, to hopefully, take us deep into the World Cup."

(With PTI inputs)