Australia need to fill a spot at the top of the order for their semi-final against India on Tuesday, after a quadriceps injury ruled out Matthew Short for the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Former captain Ricky Ponting has declared he would back big-hitting youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk to slot in as Short’s replacement for Australia’s semi-final clash against India.
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Short picked up a quad injury in Australia’s group match against Afghanistan. His absence promotes traveling reserve Cooper Connolly into the squad. The West Australian, like Short, is a powerful hitter and a capable off-spin bowler, proving to be a like-for-like replacement.
While left-armer Connolly offers all-round value, Ponting is putting his faith in Fraser-McGurk.
“He can slot straight into that position,” Ponting said in The ICC Review. “That’s the way I would probably go — just hope he has one of his days. In must-win games like these, you need to throw caution to the wind.”
Fraser-McGurk is known for his explosive batting in the shorter formats. He has featured in seven ODIs for Australia, striking at 132, though his returns have been inconsistent, averaging just 14 with a top score of 41.
Ponting believes Fraser-McGurk’s attacking mindset could prove decisive. “He’s the sort of player that, if you back him, he might just be good enough to win a big game for you.”
Ponting also floated alternative options, including adjustments within the existing XI. “They could move Steve Smith up to open. He’s done a terrific job in T20 cricket in recent years and plays fast bowling well. That could help negate the new ball threat and get through to the middle overs.”
Another possibility is wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis. “They could put Inglis up there and leave someone like Connolly in the middle order, adding a left-hander and another spin option.”
Despite these options, Ponting remains firm on Fraser-McGurk, citing his blistering IPL 2024 performance, where he struck at 234 across nine innings.
“He’s probably been a little disappointed with his output in the last six months,” Ponting admitted. “But this might just be the game where he can do something… like he did in the IPL with the Delhi Capitals last season.”
