Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood believes that despite being snubbed for the T20 World Cup Jake Fraser-McGurk would be seen wearing the Australian jersey sooner or later. Though he acknowledged that Smith’s leadership and expertise will be missed in the Caribbean, Australia’s selectors ignited a controversy by omitting Fraser-McGurk and Smith from the group of fifteen players. The 22-year-old T20 sensation’s IPL performances have impressed everyone.

With three half-centuries , Fraser-McGurk has amassed 259 runs at an average of 43.16 and a strike rate of 158.56 in the first six innings of IPL 2024. The 22-year-old made his IPL debut against LSG, hitting a stunning 55 off 35 balls, and then against MI, he scored 84 runs in 27 balls.

“He has a unique approach and he strikes the ball perfectly, “How do you put him? With Travis (Head), Mitch (Marsh), and Davey (Warner) in the top three. It’s really difficult to fit him in the top order with what we have there, but the middle order is also fairly strong. He will undoubtedly receive his due. He’s still quite young. I believe he will be a part of the Australia team,” Josh Hazlewood said.

Given his leadership experience and ability to bat under spin conditions, Hazlewood felt Smith was unfortunate not to make the cut.

“Smith is someone who you can just turn to at any time and get his advice and Marshy will miss him in the middle, ” Hazlewood added.

“Not to forget his batting and fielding abilities. The circumstances might have suited his style, and it seems like his job is to pick himself up after a poor start, but as we’ve seen, there is room at the top given the way he bats for the Sixers (in the BBL). But as they say, you can’t fit everyone in,” he concluded.

Despite being a coveted bowler in the years, Hazlewood has not played in the Indian Premier League this year. Due to his limited availability, he was not chosen at the auction since he wanted to remain at home for his son’s birth in the early stages of the competition. He kept bowling while he was at home, expecting to be called up for the IPL as an injury replacement, but that possibility never materialized.

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