Aussie bolter's IPL blitz sends scary World Cup message

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s sensational IPL form has continued, belting 84 off just 27 for the Delhi Capitals in their 10-run win over the Mumbai Indians on Saturday evening (AEST).

Fraser-McGurk dismantled the Indians’ bowling attack, which included Test quicks Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.

Having batted at No.3 earlier in the tournament, ‘JFM’ was promoted to the top of the order after a finger injury forced David Warner out of the side.

Jake Fraser-McGurk belted 84 off just 27 balls for Delhi against Mumbai in the IPL.

It was the Aussie’s third 50 of the competition, and included 11 boundaries and six sixes. His half-century came off just 15 balls, equal second-quickest by an Aussie in T20 cricket.

He was threatening Chris Gayle’s IPL record 30-ball century set back in 2013 when he holed out to deep mid-wicket off the bowling of spinner Piyush Chawla.

In commentary, former Australian Test captain Michael Clarke said it would be difficult for selectors to leave the 22-year-old out of the squad for the T20 World Cup, where Australia will play in the Caribbean.

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“The selectors have to be thinking about him now, with the team just a few days away from being selected. It’s hard to leave him out to be honest, the way he’s played so far,” he said.

“I imagine conditions will be pretty similar in the Caribbean, slower wickets with that extra power in the Powerplay needed.

“He’s done his chances no harm and I’d love to see him in that squad of 15.”

Post-innings, Fraser-McGurk said he was merely doing his job.

“That’s my role – go out there and try and score as many in the first six (overs), and if I go on with it, I go on with it,” he said.

“Trying to get the team off to a nice start, so it was good I was able to do that today.”

Fraser-McGurk has put himself in the box seat for selection in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.

Behind Fraser-McGurk, Shai Hope belted 41 off just 17 balls and Tristan Stubbs 48 from 25 as the Capitals set Mumbai 258 to win.

In reply, Tilak Varma led the Indians’ charge, belting 63 off just 32 balls with support from Suryakuma Yadav (26 off 13), Pandya (46 off 24) and Tim David (37 off 17), but ultimately fell 10 runs short.

Delhi’s next match will be against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the early hours of Tuesday morning.