T20 World Cup 2024: Jake Fraser-McGurk's exclusion from Australia squad leaves former legend Mark Waugh in bad taste

Australia's newest batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk and seasoned campaigner Steve Smith, known for his batting prowess across all formats, have been left out of Australia's preliminary 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The Australian selectors decided to bolster the team's spin department by adding Ashton Agar as the second specialist spinner in Australia's preliminary 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

They have also included Cameron Green as an additional all-rounder in the squad to boost the flexibility of the Australia National Cricket Team during the multi-nation tournament.

Mitchell Marsh to lead Australia in T20 World Cup 2024

Mitchell Marsh, as expected, will lead the Kangaroos at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, with Cricket Australia (CA) confirming the star all-rounder as their permanent T20I skipper. Marsh has previously led Australia in three T20I series on an interim basis and impressed everyone with his leadership skills.

Speaking about Australia’s pace attack, Nathan Ellis has earned a place as the fourth fast bowler alongside their formidable fast-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.

Additionally, Josh Inglis has been named as the backup wicketkeeper for first-choice keeper Matthew Wade. Agar and Adam Zampa are the two specialist spinners in the Australian T20 World Cup squad.

Here’s Australia’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024:

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), David Warner, Adam Zampa

Meanwhile, Jake Fraser-McGurk's exclusion stirred controversy in Australia, given his remarkable performances with the bat for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing IPL 2024. Fraser-McGurk has impressed with three half-centuries in just six innings at an extraordinary strike rate of 233.33.

As for Smith, the former Australian skipper’s absence from the preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 comes as less of a surprise. This is the first time in a decade that Smith has been omitted from a World Cup squad in any format of the game.

It is being said that Green and Inglis earned their spots in Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 squad over Fraser-McGurk and Smith due to their versatility. Green offers coverage for the injury-prone players, Marsh and Stoinis, with his ability to fulfill multiple roles.

Mark Waugh is not happy with Jake Fraser-McGurk's snub

On the other hand, Inglis serves as the backup wicketkeeper and can also bat at various positions in the batting order. Reacting to CA’s announcement, former Australian cricketer and commentator Mark Waugh admitted that the national selectors have picked a very strong squad for the upcoming ICC mega event.

But Waugh feels Jake Fraser-McGurk should have been there. Waugh mentioned that Fraser-McGurk can do anything, and he should have been picked in the 15-member squad. The Aussie great also mentioned that Matt Short should have been also named in the team.

Mark Waugh wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter): “A very strong squad no doubt that should be hard to beat but to leave out JFM is quite frankly hard to fathom. I would also have had Matt Short in.”

A very strong squad no doubt that should be hard to beat but to leave out JFM is quite frankly hard to fathom. I would also have had Matt Short in.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Yes Short for Agar and you don’t need both Stoinis and Green in the squad. We know what we are getting with all the squad but with JFM we don’t know his ceiling. He could be anything.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4