Big-hitting youngster Jake Fraser-McGurk is set to miss out on selection in Australia's Twenty20 World Cup squad in favour of veteran blaster David Warner.
Despite lighting up the Indian Premier League with his batting fireworks for the Delhi Capitals, Fraser-McGurk is likely to be snubbed when the squad is announced later this week for the tournament in the United States and Caribbean.
The 22-year-old has been Delhi's preferred opener for the past three matches, usurping Warner at the top in the team coached by Australian legend Ricky Ponting.
In February, Ponting called for Fraser-McGurk to be fast-tracked into all formats of the Australian team after the Victorian-born batter produced two eye-catching performances when making his ODI debut against the West Indies.
But Fraser-McGurk, who moved to South Australia last summer in search of greater opportunities, is yet to play a T20 for Australia.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey and coach Andrew McDonald are likely to stick with the bulk of the squad that won the 2021 edition, unexpectedly, but failed to defend their crown on home soil in 2022.
Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine believes selectors will stick with Warner, who will retire from international cricket at the end of the World Cup.
Paine led Warner in the Test arena from 2019 until the Tasmanian's sudden exit from international cricket ahead of the 2021-22 Ashes.
"Right now, it would be Travis Head and David Warner," Paine told SEN.
"Absolutely (Fraser-McGurk) is breathing down their necks ... his form is irresistible.
"You'd be a brave person to write off David Warner because he has done it time and time again when his back is against the wall and World Cups are usually right in his wheelhouse."
After Fraser-McGurk's exhilarating 84 from 27 balls against the Mumbai Indians, calls for the youngster's inclusion into the national set-up came in fast.
"Should be the first name on the sheet. Absolute certainty to be picked and open the batting in the World Cup," former Australian great and former national selector Mark Waugh posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke also admitted it would be "hard to leave him out".
While Australia are set to stick with Warner, fellow veteran Steve Smith is almost certain to be on the outer.
Smith has not featured in this year's IPL, last playing a competitive match during Australia's Test tour of New Zealand in March.
