logo
Fraser-McGurk earns opening reprieve with Short out

Fraser-McGurk earns opening reprieve with Short out

West Australian6 days ago
Jake Fraser-McGurk will be given the chance to open the batting for Australia again, with Matt Short ruled out of the Twenty20 series against West Indies with a side strain.
Australian officials have confirmed that Fraser-McGurk will open alongside Mitch Marsh in the first T20 on Sunday (Monday AEST), while Mitch Owen will debut.
Fraser-McGurk had initially been left out of the squad for the five-match T20 series after a run of low scores for Australia, before earning a reprieve with a late call up last week.
Short had been expected to open, but officials have opted to play it safe and send him home with the allrounder battling a side injury.
The Victorian is expected to be fit to play South Africa in a series of top-end white-ball games next month.
Owen is expected to bat at No.6 for the tourists, with Tim David out of the series opener with a minor hamstring niggle.
Owen opened for Hobart when he was leading run-scorer in last summer's BBL, but selectors are understood to view him as a power-hitting finisher.
"He is a really exciting prospect for Australia," Marsh said.
"A young imposing figure and appears to be a really nice young man. We just want him to enjoy debuting for Australia and hopefully he can win a few games."
This series marks the start of Australia's lead up to next February's T20 World Cup in the sub-continent, with 17 matches between now and then.
Nathan Ellis will lead the tourists' bowling attack with the big-three quicks all sent home early, while Marsh will not be used with the ball.
That will leave an attack of Ellis, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshius and Adam Zampa, with Glenn Maxwell and Cooper Connolly's spinners likely to come in handy.
"We don't want anyone to come in here and feel like they have to prove themselves," Marsh said.
"This series they come together as our attack and our unit. We have spoken about being really connected, and they'll lead the team."
AUSTRALIA TEAM FOR FIRST T20:
Mitch Marsh (capt), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshius, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Root on the rise as England dominate fourth Test
Root on the rise as England dominate fourth Test

Perth Now

time25 minutes ago

  • Perth Now

Root on the rise as England dominate fourth Test

Joe Root had another red-letter day in his extraordinary career, leaping from fifth to second among the all-time Test run-scorers with a majestic 150 as England ran roughshod over India. Root put Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in his rear-view mirror before following up a 38th Test ton by reaching 120 to eclipse Australian great Ricky Ponting's tally of 13,378 runs on day three of the fourth Test. Only Sachin Tendulkar's near-sacred haul of 15,921 runs is in front of Root, who closed to within 2,512 after an innings that formed the backbone of England's 7-544 and a significant lead of 186. Ben Stokes retiring hurt after going to his first 50 of 2025 may have put a dampener on proceedings at Old Trafford but he re-emerged before the close, having dealt with cramp in his left leg. Root therefore kept top billing, sharing stands of 144 alongside Ollie Pope (71) and 142 with Stokes, who went to stumps on 77 not out to leave England firm favourites to claim an unassailable 3-1 series. It might have turned out differently had Ravindra Jadeja thrown down the stumps when Root was on 22 after England resumed on 2-225 in response to India's 358. Root's nudges in front of and behind point took him to 30 then 31, going past Dravid and Kallis. A 104th 50-plus Test score followed, by which time Pope also had a half-century. With India short of ideas, Washington Sundar was belatedly introduced in the 69th over and he made the breakthrough after lunch dismissing Pope. India had another breakthrough immediately when Harry Brook was drawn out of his crease by Sundar and stumped for three. But Root was unflustered by Sundar and Jadeja and was in the 90s and England in the lead when India finally took the new ball after 90.2 overs. The former England captain then moved joint fourth on the list of Test centurions, equalling Kumar Sangakkara, when glancing fine for his 12th four off Anshul Kamboj. After reaching his 25th Test hundred since turning 30 four-and-a-half years ago, Root then ran for a single to go past Ponting on the stroke of tea. After the break, Stokes appeared increasingly discomforted before walking off the field on 66 with cramp. Root's excellent knock finally ended trying to defend against Jadeja and Jurel whipping off the bails for a second stumping. Stokes then re-entered the fray as he and Liam Dawson, who went to the close on 21 not out negotiated the final few overs.

Sydney FC signs son of former Socceroos star
Sydney FC signs son of former Socceroos star

The Advertiser

time3 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Sydney FC signs son of former Socceroos star

A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France. A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France. A day after signing Al Hassan Toure, Sydney FC have secured the services of emerging Socceroos midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler from Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The Sky Blues have signed Okon-Engstler - the son of former Socceroos defender Paul Okon - on a three-year deal. The 20-year-old joins from Portugal's most successful club Benfica, who made the last 16 at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Okon-Engstler was called into Tony Popovic's Socceroos squad for recent World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. Although he is yet to make his international debut, he is considered a rising star and remains in the mix to feature for Australia at the 2026 World Cup. Okon-Engstler progressed through Benfica's academy and featured in the Portuguese second division throughout last season. "I'm really excited to be joining Sydney FC and to start this next chapter of my career back in Australia," Okon-Engstler said. "Sydney FC is a fantastic, forward-thinking football club with a progressive football philosophy and strategy which really drew me in. "It's a special moment for me and my family, I'm coming here to win trophies and fast-track my career and I can't wait to play in front of the Sky Blue members." Okon-Engstler could make his first appearance for Sydney on July 29 when they take on Western United in the Australia Cup. Toure, who started his career at Adelaide United, signed a two-year deal. The 25-year-old returns to Australia from FC Tulsa in the USL Championship after stints in Turkey and France.

Footy world uses the same word for Toby Greene's latest act
Footy world uses the same word for Toby Greene's latest act

News.com.au

time6 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Footy world uses the same word for Toby Greene's latest act

The Giants stormed home for a stunning 38-point win over the Swans on Friday night, but huge sections of the footy world were left using the same word for Toby Greene after his latest aggressive act against Isaac Heeney. The Swans led by 28 points at halftime, but the Giants turned the match on its head after the main break, prevailing 15.12 (102) to 8.10 (58) to effectively end Sydney's season. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. With both teams battling for a shot at September in a massive Sydney Derby, Greene adopted his usual confrontational style, but may have stepped over the line in the first quarter. And at a time when the Giants need him more than ever, the skipper could be looking at yet another stint on the sidelines with four matches now remaining in the regular season. The Swans copped an unfortunate blow in the first minute of the game when Hayden McLean took an accidental shot to the head and was immediately subbed out. Despite that setback, Sydney still worked its way on top in the first term before Greene struck. Midway through the quarter, Sydney's Aaron Francis spilled a mark before finding Errol Gulden, who got smashed in a tackle as the footy bounced free. Francis managed to get it back and handballed to Heeney, who shrugged off Greene's attempted tackle before he was wrapped up by Sam Taylor Greene didn't take kindly to being dropped by Heeney, returning to the contest and appearing to aim his elbow or forearm right at the side of the Sydney superstar's head. Greene looked up at the umpire hoping for a holding the ball decision before the umpire called a high tackle against him. 'They reversed it, I think it was Toby Greene for high contact after the holding the ball decision,' Leigh Montagna said calling the action on Fox Footy. When Alastair Lynch suggested Greene 'gave him one to the guts', Dwayne Russell fired back: 'I reckon he got him a bit higher than the guts looking at that replay.' The commentary team then got on with calling the action, with the Swans kicking six straight goals either side of quarter-time to grab control of the game. But Ben Dixon was focused on Greene at the first break. 'No shots fired during the week, very quiet leading into Derby 31 and Toby Greene might've been saving his rounds because the first quarter he was firing shots left, right and centre,' he said from the boundary line. 'Isaac Heeney's 'don't argue' on Toby Greene, he said 'I'm not having that', comes in with a forearm to the head, reverse free kick. That was holding the ball. 'And then off the ball with Aaron Francis, just one to the chest, throwing his weight around. 'He's not going to miss many tonight the way the captain's going about it.' Greene also showed his contempt towards fellow agitator Tom Papley heading to the halftime break, telling Fox Footy 'he's looking overweight, see how he goes second half'. Social media immediately caught fire over the incident between Heeney and the man who holds two highly unwanted AFL records. Greene has been hit with 25 charges by the AFL Match Review committee and $35,600 worth of fines, both all-time records in the competition's history. Footy producer Brad Klibansky wrote on X: 'That's a weak act from Toby Greene.' Bryce O'Connor tweeted: 'I normally defend Toby, but that was s**thouse!' Footy account Outbreezy WC said: 'I like Toby Greene but he is 100% a dirty player.' The Surly Sportsman replied: 'I like him too, but someone needs to smack him in his face for real.' A whole range of footy fans all used the same word to describe the combative Giants star. X account @drawnbarrier13 wrote: 'Once a grub, always a grub.' @matthewsmith510 said: 'What an absolute f**king grub Toby is.' @danieIthompson offered: 'Toby Greene is a complete grub. Complete myth too, hasn't been good since 2019.' Jon Malpa stated: 'Toby Greene proving yet again that he is the biggest grub in the AFL.' BMacca Sports added: 'Red mist descending on Toby atm … I get playing hard but the bloke is an all-time grub.' There were many more, but we think you get the idea. Many also suggested Greene was heading for yet another stint on the sidelines. @ARJ7X tweeted: 'Toby might be having a holiday after that.' @straightrocket added simply: 'Bye Toby.' It remains to be seen if the former All Australian captain will indeed face another suspension. But at a time when his club is fighting for a shot at a first premiership, he could be giving coach Adam Kingsley the type of headache he desperately doesn't need. Apart from Greene's first-half moment of madness, the Giants flexed their premiership aspirations in a sensational turnaround that leaves them knocking on the door of the top four and the Swans planning for 2026.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store