Batting dynamo on World Cup standby

Australian selectors have found a World Cup role for boom batter Jake Fraser-McGurk making him a travelling reserve as veteran opener David Warner recovers from a hand injury and captain Mitch Marsh a hamstring issue.

While the key duo have been cleared after interrupted Indian Premier League seasons and named in the final squad on Tuesday, the need for backup batters wasn’t ignored.

Fraser-McGurk, who stunned in his debut IPL season as Warner’s replacement at the Delhi Capitals and all-rounder Matt Short had been picked as the two travelling reserves for the tournament in the Caribbean and USA which begins in June.

“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,“ selection chair George Bailey said.

“As the tournament proceeds, the short turnaround between fixtures makes it challenging to get players in at short notice in the event of injury. Matt provides the squad with an all-round skillset option, while Jake provides further batting cover.

“Both players have exciting talents that can add to the squad if needed. If not, the experience will still be valuable in their respective development journeys at international level.”

Fraser-McGurk finished the IPL with 330 runs from nine games at a stunning strike rate of 234 and despite a push from leading voices, including his Delhi coach Ricky Ponting, missed the 15-man squad.

Short was also unlucky to miss out on a spot in the final 15 having appeared in nine of Australia’s last 14 T20Is and also played in multiple batting roles.

Spinner Tanveer Sangha was in contention for one of the reserve spots but hurt his hip flexor while training at a pre-tournament camp in Brisbane last week.

Australian players will arrive in the West Indies in stages, affording some who have been competing in the IPL some time at home before joining the squad.

At least one of those players will feature in the IPL final in Chennai on May 26. Rajasthan Royals are the only top-four team without an Australian still in contention.

Australia take on Namibia and West Indies in warm-up matches at Port of Spain’s Queens Park Oval next week, but will not have their full squad available.

FINAL AUSTRALIAN T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Squad: Mitch Marsh (c), 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