"That’s why we’ve been picked, we are instructed to be aggressive at the start" - Fraser-McGurk responds to Ian Healy's 'schoolyard' comments
Australia opening batter Jake Fraser-McGurk has defended the all-out aggressive approach employed at the start of the innings, something he was recently criticized for by former player Ian Healy. The youngster came under the scanner, particularly after his reckless dismissal in the first ODI against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 4.
The Men in Yellow had recorded 28 runs off the first four overs in the 204-run chase but lost both the openers. While Australia coasted to a comfortable position, they endured a collapse in the middle overs and had to scrape through to record a two-wicket win.
The dismissals of Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short to arguably needless strokes in the powerplay left former Australia cricketer Ian Healy fuming, who voiced his frustration after the match.
“The [Australian] boys’ egos weren’t able to be put away for even half an hour. They’re treating it like schoolyard [cricket]. Our shot selection was poor and to me, the juniors, Matt Short (1) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (16), were [playing] like schoolyard bullies. That’s not good enough from a cricket system that invests a lot more than it looks," Healy said (via The Age).
Jake Fraser-McGurk shed light on the approach and asserted that there is no intention to back away from it.
"The game’s changing and the way we want to play our cricket is really taking on those first 10 overs instead of scraping to 240, 250. If we get off to a flyer in the first 10, then it sets up a nice platform for the boys in the middle to get us past those totals. Me and Shorty can go out there and play the way we play. That’s why we’ve been picked. [We are] instructed to be aggressive at the start,” Fraser-McGurk said ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan.
Jake Fraser-McGurk is renowned for his ruthless aggression, with his claim to fame being his record for the fastest List-A hundred. He brought the same approach into international cricket, recording a whirlwind set of knocks in his maiden series against the West Indies.
After three ODI appearances, his strike rate reads 181, as Australia look to hone him to be David Warner's successor at the top of the order, at least in white-ball cricket.
"Our batters are ready for what they’re going to bring" - Jake Fraser-McGurk on facing Pakistan's pace quartet
Pakistan's pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain gave it their all to almost pull off a victory while defending the meager total in the first ODI. The visitors were able to get the most out of the wicket with their pace and ability to extract bounce.
Haris Rauf, in particular, was able to use his extensive experience of bowling in Australia for the Melbourne Stars (BBL) to make an impact. The back-of-the-length deliveries that rose high off the surface and the bonafide bouncers troubled the Australian batters, with the large boundaries also playing a role.
“I think Shorty and I wouldn’t mind having a short-ball tactic early, especially with a new ball. They’re world-class bowlers and the short-ball tactic last game obviously worked well for them. But you know, our batters are ready for what they’re going to bring," Fraser-McGurk said (via The Age).
The second ODI between Australia and England is scheduled for Friday, November 8, at the Adelaide Oval.