Jake Fraser-McGurk's fate sealed as Australia squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024 announced

Australia, on Wednesday (May 1), announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in June in the United States and the Caribbeans.

The 2021 T20 World Cup winners have taken some big calls as they eye their second title. They have left out veteran batsman Steve Smith as well as young sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk for the marquee event. Smith has participated in four T20 World Cup editions so far.

Incidentally, his maiden T20 World Cup appearance came in 2010 which was hosted in the Caribbeans as well. Later, he played in the 2016, 2021 and 2022 editions too. Overall, he played 19 games in the T20 World Cup and managed to score a modest 190 runs at an average of 19.

Fraser-McGurk is another notable absentee from the Australia squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Many expected him to be a part of the squad after his stunning exploits in the ongoing IPL 2024. Playing in the IPL for the first time, Fraser-McGurk has smashed 259 runs in 6 games at a strike-rate of 233. He has hit three half-centuries including two 15-ball fifties.

Australia squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024:

Cameron Green and Ashton Agar have been included in the Australia squad. Not many expected them to play the World Cup after their lengthy absence from the Australia T20I squad. While Green has not played a T20I since November 2022, Agar's last T20I appearance came in October 2022. 

Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh has been confirmed as the captain of the Australia for the tournament. The allrounder recently suffered a hamstring injury and had to return home from IPL where he was playing for Delhi Capitals. He was subsequently ruled out of the ongoing IPL 2024.

"It's been an immense privilege to play for my country and now an even greater honour to lead the squad to a World Cup," said Marsh

"We have had some strong success in recent times and I am hopeful that will continue in what looks like a wide-open tournament," he added.

Meanwhile, David Warner has been included in the team despite his struggles in the ongoing IPL. Travis Head is also a part of the squad after his impressive displays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis will be other allrounder options in the team apart from Green while Tim David is set to be finisher.

Australia have picked Matthew Wade and Josh Inglis as the wicketkeepers in the team. For the spin department, Australia have included two frontline spinners - Adam Zampa and Agar while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Ellis are the frontline pacers of teh team.

Australia's T20 World Cup 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.