Glenn Maxwell reacted almost as quickly as when he reverse-swept fast bowler Peter Siddle for six runs at Adelaide Oval. In the Big Bash, which young gun is primed to go off? Maxwell remarked, “Little (Jake) Fraser-McGurk.” “I had the pleasure of spending the most of the preseason with him this year, and he looks classy once again.” “He recently got 140 in the twos (Victoria Second XI) game (and) he’s just going to improve.” “I’m extremely excited to see how he goes about his company.” Aaron Finch, a World Cup-winning skipper and another Victorian, agreed with a nod. Fraser-McGurk, dubbed “Rooster” for obvious reasons, made his Sheffield Shield debut as Victoria’s youngest since Cameron White in 2001, and the third-youngest of all time.
He led the Vics to a Shield victory in February against a New South Wales assault that included Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. With new skipper Nic Maddinson (Australia A) missing and Aaron Finch (knee) and Shaun Marsh (calf) all expected to miss games, Fraser-McGurk looms as a vital batter early this season. The South African child who was once scratched on the face by a monkey has just scratched the surface. He’s the talk of domestic cricket. And while he may be the newest buzz boy, he is far from alone. “I think Nathan Ellis might take a step ahead,” said D’Arcy Short, a master blaster with the Hobart Hurricanes. Ellis, 27, made his Australian debut against Bangladesh earlier this year and was in camp for the team’s T20 victory in Dubai. Short told News Corp.,
“He’s simply got a couple tricks under his sleeve.” “He can swing the ball early and late, he understands what he’s doing, and he smashes his yorkers or bowls the balls he wants you to hit to the field he’s established.” Ellis’s strongest weapon is yorkers, as his tiny build allows him to sneak in beneath a batsman’s swing. Jack Edwards, the hulking Sydney Sixers batter, had the makings of a cult figure. “I think he’s an absolute superstar and he can’t be far away – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he’s still very young – he “First and foremost, he’s a terrific ball striker. He’s obviously a huge guy, and they seem to play a different game than the rest of us. “He’s just tremendously gifted; he can strike the ball incredibly far and bowls really well.” In last summer’s Marsh Cup final at Bankstown,
Philippe was on the receiving end of Edwards’ 108 as NSW cruised to a 102-run triumph. At the age of 18, Edwards became the youngest batter to achieve a one-day century in just his sixth limited-overs encounter for the Blues. Edwards was not the only magenta man poised to take the Big Bash by storm, according to Philippe, which sounds dangerous for a team aiming a three-peat championship. “Another Sixer,” the Steve Smith impersonator continued, “I’ll keep it in house, Lloyd Pope as well.” “He could have a little more chance this year, because he’s a really good bowler.” “When he gets it right, he’s fantastic.” He’s a young spinner, so that’s always difficult, and as a hitter, you try to target that as much as possible. “However, he possesses extraordinary abilities and a remarkable eagerness to study. “Steve O’Keeffe is really helpful and provides him with excellent advise.” Last summer, the Sydney Thunder paid a large money to re-sign Ollie Davies on a three-year contract. According to sources, Davies would have to be the highest-paid 21-year-old in the tournament’s history, but he’ll have to prove himself as Callum Ferguson’s No. 3 successor. Ferguson added, “He showed some tremendous power-hitting talent.” “Being able to put spinners to the sword is his great strength.”
Mike Hussey has a high rating. Once his Australia A responsibilities are through, Perth Scorchers allrounder Aaron Hardie, 22, and World Cup star Mitchell Marsh, who heads the Scorchers, are likely to blast lots of balls into the crowd. “To be honest, I’m a little terrified to come up against Mitch Marsh because of what he’s doing,” Short remarked. “And Josh Philippe is in the best shape of his life coming into it.” Philippe was named player of the tournament last summer after batting his way onto a T20 tour of New Zealand in February and then earning his ODI debut in the West Indies. Who will have the largest summer bash? “The message that has been given to him is to now go out and perform for us.” We want him to truly knock the door down whether he’s playing for Richmond or the Second XI, rather than simply being chosen on skill. Some young players are given the option of taking the elevator, while others are given the option of taking the stairs. Jake is probably one of those people who has been lucky enough to ride the elevator a lot of the time, and now all we want to see him do is walk the stairs and show us that he can routinely score huge runs. He’s now checking all the boxes, and if he keeps doing so, it’ll be difficult to keep him out of the side.” CHRIS ROGERS, Victoria’s coach
NATHAN ELLIS, 27 YEARS OLD (Hobart Hurricanes) “He’s a gifted young cricketer, and I like how calm he is about it.” He never appears frazzled, and he always appears to be in command.” 21-year-old JACK EDWARDS (Sydney Sixers) “I’m praying for a huge BBL for big Jacky Edwards for our sake at the Sixers.” He’s taken a few wickets for NSW in Shield games, so he’s an excellent allround option.” JOSH PHILIPPE is the Sixers’ first-round pick. 21-year-old LLOYD POPE (Sydney Sixers) “As a young spinner, the most important thing is to keep your nerve, and he’s got a fairly calm head on his shoulders.” I’m confident he’ll have a good year.” PHILIPPE …and two of Australia’s future TEST stars 22-year-old
CAMERON GREEN (Australia Test team, Perth Scorchers) “I’ve known him when he first appeared on the scene, and I played club cricket with him.” When he blasted Victoria around the park at the WACA in his debut game, I played against him. He was hauling Jimmy Pattinson for six, which is unusual for a first-year player. Superstar. I believe he will have a 15-year career with Australia.
I couldn’t say anything nice about him.” 25-year-old JHYE RICHARDSON (Australia Test team, Perth Scorchers) “Jhye is one of the sharpest bowlers I’ve ever seen.” He’s fast, he knows all the moves, he can swing it in and out, and he has a slower ball. But it’s something we speak about a lot at WA — the key thing he does is he knows all the tricks and maintains them constant. He’s really hard on himself and holds himself to a very high standard, which I believe has contributed to his rapid improvement over the previous several years.”