How do you solve a problem like Jake Fraser-McGurk?

I’m not sure Mother Superior would have had the right answers for the Rooster (his nickname), as he rocks the mullet, wears an earring, and travels the world in style, at the age of 22.

But the real question is: does he really have a problem?

For those watching the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan, you would have seen a new opening pair, Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

With David Warner retiring, Travis Head – who is on paternity leave – needs a new opening partner. Leaving a “bat off” to take place between the two Victorians throughout this ODI series as well as the T20s, against the same opposition.

Both didn’t do each other any favors on a tricky pitch at the MCG which offered something for the bowlers, with variable bounce and it was a bit of a two-pacer.

It was an uncomfortable innings to watch from Fraser-McGurk, 16 runs from 14 deliveries, with some poorly timed aerial shots as he tried to assert his dominance from the first ball, over a blazingly fast Pakistan attack.

Some spectators reportedly pulled their hair out, asking the youngster to pull it back. Try to get started before going all out.

To be fair, Fraser-McGurk has been playing this way for a while and has had a lot of success, which is why he is in the Australian set-up. He first burst onto the scene when he broke all records by scoring the fastest white-ball hundred in a List A match against Tasmania in October 2023. In doing so, he beat AB de Villiers, another shooter of the game, bringing up his century in just 29 balls.

Fraser-McGurk’s form continued in the Big Bash League, for the Melbourne Renegades, scoring 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.6. He became a cult figure among young fans, who wanted to look like him, play like him and, of course, perform like him. Almost no attention was paid to outgoing Aaron Finch, the Renegades’ most capped player.

From there, Fraser-McGurk was on the merry-go-round of the T20 cricket franchise, Dubai Capitals’ next stop. In the three innings he played in the ILT20, it was enough to impress the powerhouses at Delhi Capitals and he was called up to play in the Indian Premier League, the pinnacle of domestic T20 competitions.

It was here that the smash, bang, wallop approach, as the great David Lloyd commented, lit up the biggest stage – 330 points were thrown straight away by the youngster, with a strike rate that would take your breath away. blast of 234. He everyone was talking about him and how he should immediately replace Warner at the helm of Australia in the T20 World Cup in USA/Caribbean a week after the IPL. As it turned out, he was only added to the team as a traveling reserve.

Gerard Whateley, in SEN’s ODI coverage, pointed out that the Australians missed a trick by not bringing him in at that time because he was literally in peak form and now he will have to get back to that. kind of shape.

Watching him at the MCG, you literally sat on the edge of your seat, knowing something was going to happen. Either he runs galore, or a chance is given, or his demise.

I liken Fraser-McGurk to a young, raw, fast bowler. Sending rockets at over 155 km/h makes him an X-Factor. But he can’t control it and gives a lot of wides.

Now he might lower his pace to 135-145 kmph, to have better control, but then he will be compared to all other fast bowlers. What sets him apart is his raw rhythm, something you can’t teach.

Are you really going to tell this guy to slow down? I don’t think so. So why ask Fraser-McGurk to tame his aggression?

No doubt being among players like Head and Glenn Maxwell, a player very similar to Fraser-McGurk, who has endured a lot of criticism over his time, will certainly help his development. Being part of the Australian squad, along with the coaching staff, will challenge him, but what we have seen from Andrew McDonald’s style is allowing the players to be themselves and accept who they are. are.

At some point in his career, he might ask himself the question: “Should I have better tempo while playing ODI cricket?” As long as he understands that his current approach means he’s more likely to fail than succeed, it’s OK. But also know that with a string of failures comes increased media scrutiny.

However, he might just pull off a move that changes the course of the game and history. Just ask Maxwell, as his innings against Afghanistan in the 2023 Cricket World Cup India has been considered the greatest white-ball innings. This undoubtedly changed the course of the Australians who eventually won another World Cup.

Fraser-McGurk could become your banker, the reliable fly-half who ensures your team is never in the hole and has the means to put pressure on the opposition when the time is right, aka Beth Mooney. There’s nothing wrong with that, a team always needs a Mooney.

However, at 22 years old, I don’t think he needs to make up his mind right away. Especially when he is supported by the selectors, coaches and his teammates to continue playing in the same way.

“How do you catch a cloud and locate it? » To finish another line from the Sound of Music.

You don’t, you can’t. Let Fraser-McGurk fly and see how high he can soar. Because he really is the X factor of this Australian team moving forward.