Australia captain Steve Smith backs underperforming superstar to perform in Champions Trophy 2025, says 'he’s dangerous...wickets in Pakistan potentially suit him'

Australia captain Steve Smith has backed Jake Fraser-McGurk to perform well in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite his terrible form during the Sri Lanka ODI series. Fraser-McGurk made a splash with his unconventional batting, particularly in the IPL 2024 last year. Many thought the young batter would be the next big-hitting opener for the Australians after David Warner retired. But Fraser-McGurk has had trouble scoring runs in the format ever since making his ODI debut.

The 22-year-old has scored 98 runs at an average of 14 in seven games. Fraser-McGurk managed only 11 runs in two games during the just-finished Sri Lanka series, and Australia lost badly in the last ODI. The daring batter's inclusion in the ODI lineup has drawn criticism among fans, but Smith has defended the young player.

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Steve Smith on Jake Fraser-McGurk

Following the series defeat, the Australia captain stated that Fraser-McGurk can play shots wherever on the field; it just comes down to timing them.

“Yeah, look, he’s obviously a very aggressive player. He’s got all the shots around the ground, and yeah, I think it’s just picking them to play at the right time and he hasn’t quite got going here. But he played a couple of nice shots out there and we know the talent that he possesses so that’s why he’s in this squad," Smith said.

According to Smith, the 22-year-old is a dangerous player whose style of play might fit the wickets in Pakistan. Fraser-McGurk will benefit greatly from being a member of the main squad.

"He’s dangerous, I think the wickets in Pakistan potentially suit him so yeah I think he’s going to learn a lot just being around the group, continuing to work with all of us as the coaches and just talking about the game and yeah, you’ll definitely take a lot out of that," he added

Without players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc, Australia's team is thin heading into the Champions Trophy. On February 22, they begin their campaign against England.