T20 World Cup 2024: Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short to travel as reserves with the Australian squad

Australia will bring two extra players, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short, to the T20 World Cup 2024 as reserves. These backups will only be brought into the main squad if a first-choice player suffers an injury serious enough to miss the rest of the tournament.

Australia initially planned to bring only one reserve player to the T20 World Cup 2024, but they’ve changed course and are now likely to take two. In-form batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk is expected to join Matthew Short as a reserve for the T20 World Cup.

Despite his impressive batting in the IPL, Jake Fraser-McGurk’s exclusion from the main squad raised eyebrows. Many felt his hot streak warranted selection. However, the selectors prioritized experience, opting for a settled top-order of Warner, Head, and Captain Marsh. Fraser-McGurk’s lack of versatility compared to other players also played a role. He’ll likely be brought in as a specialist batsman if there’s an injury to one of the top three batsmen during the World Cup.

Also Read:  PAK VS ENG 1st T20 2024: Pitch Report, Weather Update, Squad and Head To Head

Matthew Short’s omission from the main squad was another surprise. He’s been a consistent presence in T20Is lately, playing nine out of Australia’s last 14 matches. Short’s versatility is a big asset – he can open (having dominated the BBL as an opener for two seasons in a row), bat in the middle order (playing at No. 3 and No. 6), and even contribute with his part-time off-spin, including bowling in the crucial powerplay. With his adaptability, Short is likely to be the backup player for multiple positions in the squad.

Australia’s pre-World Cup training camp in Trinidad kicks off on Thursday, but some key players might miss initial sessions. The camp includes practice matches against Namibia and West Indies on May 28th and 30th respectively. Head, Green, Cummins, Starc, and Maxwell’s arrival could be delayed due to their IPL commitments, as the playoffs aren’t finished until May 26th. This means Australia might have a limited squad for the early stages of the camp.