Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has voiced his belief in the promising future of Jake Fraser-McGurk, asserting that the young talent is destined for Test cricket following his recent ODI debut against the West Indies.
Fraser-McGurk’s inaugural appearance in ODIs showcased his potential, as he swiftly made an impact with a 10-run contribution off just five deliveries.
This stellar performance was followed by an entertaining innings of 41 runs off 18 balls during the third ODI, which saw him playing some audacious shots in high level confidence.
The 21-year-old right-hander has been a standout performer throughout the season, capturing attention with his remarkable display of skill in domestic circuit and Big Bash League.
Notably, his century off a mere 29 balls for South Australia against Tasmania in the one-day domestic cup shattered the previous record held by AB de Villiers for the fastest one-day century.
Ricky Ponting, recently appointed as coach of the Washington Freedom in the US’ Major League Cricket, expressed unwavering confidence in Fraser-McGurk’s journey towards donning the prestigious baggy green.
“Yep, I do, absolutely (see him as a Test player),” Ponting affirmed during a media interaction on Wednesday.
Drawing parallels to legendary players like Shahid Afridi, Ponting said, “Just because of the talent he’s got. And we’ve seen it with other players in the past, like a Shahid Afridi who came on the stage as an ultra-talented ball-striking 17-year-old who could bowl leg spin.”
“When you’ve got that sort of talent, you need to be exposed to cricket at the highest level to work it out, and I think Jake can do that.
“I’m definitely backing him one day to play Test cricket.”
Drawing parallels to the illustrious career trajectory of David Warner, Ponting highlighted the resemblance between the two cricketers in terms of their impactful introduction to the short-format arena.
“I think he’s someone who can well and truly be fast-tracked through the Australian system, because of the natural talent he’s got,” Ponting remarked, further underscoring Fraser-McGurk’s potential to enhance the Australian cricket landscape across all formats.
As the cricketing world gears up for the T20 World Cup in June, Fraser-McGurk’s name looms as a potential contender for selection, offering Australia a formidable asset in their pursuit of securing victory across Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is.
Despite Ponting’s praise for the budding talent, he remains pragmatic about the selection process for the upcoming World Cup, acknowledging the fierce competition for spots within the squad.
“While he’ll have to bide his time, the opportunities will undoubtedly come his way,” Ponting affirmed, echoing his confidence in Fraser-McGurk’s ability to seize the moment and make significant contributions to Australian cricket in the future.
