Why IPL sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk is not anticipating a call-up for T20 World Cup

NEW DELHI: Although Jake Fraser-McGurk went unsold at auction, the young Australian player became a sensation in the current IPL after being signed by the Delhi Capitals as an injured replacement.

Though he still has a lot to learn, the courageous 22-year-old batsman told AFP he is trying to absorb everything he can from his idol and current teammate in Delhi Capitals, David Warner .

"Having him here and knowing him quite well, we have got a nice connection, got a beautiful friendship," Fraser-McGurk said of the 37-year-old opener, one of Australia 's finest-ever batsmen.

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This week, Fraser-McGurk was referred to as "a serious talent" by Delhi head coach and legendary Australian Ricky Ponting . The young Warner's aggressive style and ease of hitting sixes are evident in certain matches.

Fraser-McGurk broke AB de Villiers ' record last year, taking just 29 balls to score a century for South Australia in List A (50-over) matches.

He joined Delhi as an injured substitute for South African paceman Lungi Ngidi after none of the ten IPL teams bid on him during the player auction in December, and he hasn't looked back.

Even though Australian cricket has long recognized Fraser-McGurk's potential, his 35-ball 55 on his debut won him quick fame in India.

"I met Davey a while back in the BBL," said Fraser-McGurk, referring to the Big Bash League, Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament.

"Then ran some drinks for the Australian one-day team a couple of years back and then played with him in Dubai."

Fraser-McGurk cannot talk highly enough of Warner.

"When the talk is about the game, then you understand how much experience he has and what he's done," he said.

"He has time for everyone, he is very unselfish and does what his team needs."

Fraser-McGurk has played two one-day internationals for Australia this year, hitting an 18-ball 41 in his second ODI against the West Indies.

Despite that and his performance in the IPL, which featured a half-century off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Fraser-McGurk does not expect to be called up for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States in June.

Admittedly, he was unaware that the World Cup was happening nearly immediately following the Indian Premier League.

" Mitch Marsh was obviously with Delhi and he said we are going to Barbados and America and all that stuff," said Fraser-McGurk.

"I was like, 'Are you playing there?' and he was like, 'No, the World Cup'.

"Obviously it's not on the forefront of my mind."

Ponting expects Fraser-McGurk to have a bright international future, but cautioned: "So far he is not anywhere near the finished product yet.

"I would love to be able to spend more time with him one-on-one and work on his batting," he added.

"I think he can be a three-format player for Australia."

(With AFP inputs)