ENG vs AUS: Jake Fraser-McGurk a 3-format player? Ricky Ponting makes sensational claim

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has showered praise on young opening batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, describing him as an extremely talented cricketer. Ricky Ponting highlighted that Jake Fraser-McGurk has the potential to become a three-format player for Australia in the near future.

Fraser-McGurk came into the limelight after his impressive batting for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The batter scored 330 runs in nine games at an exceptional strike rate of 234.04. He was the only batter to score multiple half-centuries in 15 balls or fewer in the IPL.

The youngster made his T20I debut against Scotland earlier this month. Fraser-McGurk managed 16 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 69.57, including two ducks. He was dropped from the playing XI for the first T20I against England, and Matthew Short grabbed the chance with 41 off 26 balls.

Jake Fraser-McGurk Is An Extreme Talent - Ricky Ponting

In a conversation with SkySports Cricket, Ricky Ponting said that Jake Fraser-McGurk is still very much a "rough diamond". Ponting emphasized that the young player needs to find out exactly the right way to improve.

“Oh, look he’s an extreme talent. He’s a ball-striking talent. He’s still very much a rough diamond. though. I’m not sure in his own head he’s actually worked out exactly the right way to go about it yet,” said the former Delhi Capitals Head Coach.

He's As Clean Striker As I Think I've Ever Seen - Ricky Ponting

Ponting said that Fraser-McGurk often focuses on scoring runs through the mid-wicket and long-on areas. The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that the young batter should work on scoring runs in all areas of the ground and unlock his full potential as a batter.

“He only goes one way. But when he’s thinking about hitting the ball to different parts of the ground is when you see the best Jake Fraser-McGurk,” Ponting shared.

"Quite often he’ll get sort of stuck in trying to hit it in one direction which is normally down over long-on or to mid-wicket. If he tries to think about scoring 360 degrees around the ground, he’s as clean a striker as I think I’ve ever seen," he added.

Can Be A Three-Format Player For Australia - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting said that Jake Fraser-McGurk plays with a fearless approach in batting, adding that he hits the ball extremely hard. Ponting highlighted that Fraser-McGurk could become the next all-format player for Australia.

“He’s probably 5 foot 10, he’s not a big kid but he hits the ball extremely hard and has got no fear and is a gun in the field. So he’s someone I think in the future can be a three-format player for Australia,” he concluded.

Ponting's remarks highlight his confidence in Fraser-McGurk's ability. Australia, led by Mitchell Marsh, won the first T20I match against England by 28 runs. Travis Head scored 59 runs off 28 balls, helping Australia reach 179. England was all out for 151 runs and started the series on a losing note.

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