World Record Holder Jake Fraser-McGurk Given Maiden Australia ODI Call-up, Steve Smith Named Captain

Australia have called-up the uncapped duo of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Xavier Bartlett for their three-match ODI series against West Indies next month.

Fraser-McGurk hit the headlines last year when he broke the List A record for the fastest century in history, taking just 29 deliveries to get to the milestone. The young batter also scored a maiden first-class century for South Australia and had an impressive Big Bash League (BBL) season for Melbourne Renegades, hitting 257 runs at a strike-rate of 158.64.

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He’s currently playing for the Dubai Capitals in ILT20 but will have to return midway through the campaign for the ODI series scheduled to start from February 2 in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old has made the cut after Glenn Maxwell was rested following his participation in the BBL season but is expected to be back for the T20Is against West Indies that follows the ODI series.

Steve Smith will lead the 13-man squad with Cricket Australia resting the pace bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood.

Bartlett, a right-arm pacer, is currently leading the list of the highest wicket-takers for this season’s BBL. He’s taken 17 wickets at an average of 14.82, producing notable performances in both the Powerplay overs and at the death.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Bartlett had said, “I haven’t had communication with the selectors or anything like that. I’m not there yet (Australia call-up). I’m definitely striving towards playing for Australia, but my short-term goal is just to play some consistent cricket.”

Australia ODI squad: Steven Smith (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Lance Morris, Matt Short, Adam Zampa

West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (captain), Alzarri Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Kjorn Ottley, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.