Rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk and fellow batsman Matt Short have been included as travelling reserves for Australia’s squad for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, the selectors announced on Tuesday.
Fraser-McGurk has showcased impressive form while playing for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Similarly, Matt Short, known for his versatility and off-spin bowling, was a standout performer in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) last season.
Despite their strong performances, both players narrowly missed out on being included in the main 15-man squad due to the established strength of Australia's top order, featuring seasoned players such as David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh.
"Matt and Jake made compelling cases for initial selection with their respective performances for Australia last summer and, in Jake's case, more recently in the IPL," said George Bailey, Australia’s chief selector. "As the tournament proceeds, the short turnaround between fixtures makes it challenging to get players in at short notice in the event of injury."
Bailey emphasized the strategic value both players bring to the squad. "Matt provides the squad with an all-round skill set option, while Jake provides further batting cover," he added.
The Twenty20 World Cup will be held in the United States and West Indies, starting from June 2.
Australia’s T20 World Cup Squad:
- Mitchell Marsh (captain)
- Ashton Agar
- Pat Cummins
- Tim David
- Nathan Ellis
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Glenn Maxwell
- Mitchell Starc
- Marcus Stoinis
- Matthew Wade
- David Warner
- Adam Zampa
Travelling Reserves:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Matt Short
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