Australia U19 Star Jake Fraser-McGurk To Return Home After Being Scratched On Face By Monkey

Australia U19 star Jake Fraser-McGurk is set to return home from the ongoing ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa for precautionary medical treatment after being scratched on the face by a monkey. The highly-rated batsman was at a nature reserve while on a team outing after Australia’s victory over England in Kimberley last Thursday when the incident took place.

He played the quarterfinal against India on Tuesday but is now set to return home.  According to Cricket Australia, the youngster has been advised to return home for precautionary treatment within seven days of the accident. Australia will consider calling in a replacement for Fraser-McGurk for the final two matches of the tournament.

“We want to make sure that Jake doesn’t have any ongoing medical concerns as a result of the incident so we have taken the best course of action,” said Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager, who added he was confident Fraser-McGurk will not suffer any ongoing issues after treatment.

“This involves the player returning to Australia for the treatment required within the recommended seven days of the incident taking place. We expect Jake will be available for selection shortly after he has completed the treatment,” he added.

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Jake Fraser-McGurk said he was disappointed to be missing the final matches of the tournament. Australia’s journey in the tournament has ended as far as their chances of progress to the next stage is concerned. They will now play two games to determine their ranking at the next Under-19 World Cup.

“You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress,” Jake Fraser-McGurk said. “But I’m confident we have the team to get the job done in the final two matches.

“I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure. That’s a lesson learned. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible. I’d like to thank all the staff from the nature reserve and Cricket Australia for their care and support,” he added.

Australia’s next match is on Sunday, February 2 against either Pakistan or Afghanistan in Potchefstroom. India, meanwhile, thrashed them by 74 runs in the quarterfinal. Asked to bat first, the defending champions recovered from a shaky start to post 233 for 9. In reply, Australia were all out for 159.