'Everyone's crying out': Aussie coach signals big white ball ...

Before Sam Konstas emerged as a future star of Test cricket this month, the most hyped cricketer in the country was Jake Fraser-McGurk, who is set to re-emerge in Australian colours in the one-day series against Pakistan beginning at the MCG on Monday.

Even Australian coach Andrew McDonald is looking forward to seeing what Fraser-McGurk and other white ball prospects can produce in the ODI and T20 clashes against Pakistan which will unfold over the next fortnight.

McDonald, who this week had his coaching contract for Australia extended through to 2027, believes the two series, which will comprise three matches each, as an ideal opportunity to identify talent capable of excelling for their nation in the future.

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LISTEN TO THE FOLLOW ON as three of Australia’s leading sports journalists discuss the upcoming Pakistian white ball series and the India Test series!

The Australians have effectively got an eye on two distinct priorities, with the Border Gavaskar Trophy and Test series against Sri Lanka critical to the nation’s hopes of defending the World Test Championship it claimed over India in 2023 in June next year.

But the three match ODI series against Pakistan, which also features matches in Adelaide on Friday and Perth on Sunday week, along with three T20 matches to follow next week will provide crucial intelligence for the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

“With the T20 announcement, it’s clear the direction for most of our players is to be prepared for that first Test. So ... that’s a great opportunity for others to put their hand up,” McDonald said.

“Everyone’s crying out for Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short and Aaron Hardy to get opportunities. So whilst we’re missing our senior players and they’ve got other priorities that point in time, it is great for those younger players.

“What that looks like for Pakistan, I’d say they’d be much the same. They’d be building towards something in terms of playing the Champion’s Trophy with that white ball team. There’s been a bit of turnover there. But it’s up to them as to where they head.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Jake Fraser-McGurk (L) and Cooper Connolly of Australia walk across the playing surface before a training session at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 26, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Pakistan arrives in Australia on the back of a superb Test series triumph over England at home, a victory that occurred despite some turmoil off the field which included the exit of white ball coach Gary Kirsten earlier this week.

This has resulted in Australian fast bowling great Jason Gillespie, who is the Test coach but was recently replaced as a selector, taking the reigns for Pakistan’s tour down under.

Pakistan has also replaced Babar Azam, who stepped down as captain earlier in October, with Mohammad Rizwan in another example of the “turnover” McDonald alluded to when speaking outside the MCG on Thursday.

In the latest episode of Fox Cricket’s podcast The Follow On, leading Australian journalist Robert Craddock said it was remarkable Pakistan had been able to prevail over England given the chaotic environment off the field.

“What a challenge it is (for Gillespie). But one thing I love about Jason is that he has no big ego. He has coached from the ground upwards,” he told The Follow On.

“But Pakistan is in a shambolic state, even by their shambolic standards. (They have had) 26 coaches in two years. Gillespie has been removed as a selector from the Test team but still asked to coach. Gary Kirsten resigning as white ball coach even before he coached them after an alleged disagreement with Babar Azam, and this has landed in Dizzy’s lap.

“Jason Gillespie has a natural niceness about him which helps builds teams. He is fundamentally a good guy ... but man oh man, this is a Mt Everest climb.”

CARDIFF, WALES - SEPTEMBER 13: Jake Fraser-McGurk of Australia bats during the 2nd Vitality IT20 match between England and Australia at Sophia Gardens on September 13, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Matt Short of Victoria bats during the ODC match between Victoria and New South Wales at CitiPower Centre, on October 25, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The proximity of the white ball series against Pakistan and the Border Gavaskar Trophy involving India raised queries as to whether Cricket Australia had fully pursued the prospect of the two rival nations playing a Test in Australia.

Recent outings between the two nations in Australia have drawn massive attendances, with the World Cup clash in 2022 whetting the appetite as to what might be possible in the future.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said that while the national body would love to be able to facilitate a Test between the rival nations at the MCG, nothing had come to pass on this occasion.

“I think what I said in the past is that it’s very much a matter for the BCCI and the PCB,” he said.

“The event here in 2022 when they played was just an incredible, incredible event. And what we (have) said is if they ever were looking for a neutral venue, then we’d be more than happy to help out.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Matt Short of Victoria celebrates after scoring a half century during the ODC match between Victoria and New South Wales at CitiPower Centre, on October 25, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images