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Is It Over For Fraser-McGurk? Why Mitchell Owen Can Be Warner's Perfect Replacement

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Micthell Owen and Jake Fraser-McGurk [Source: @cricbuzz, @AnujTweeting]Micthell Owen and Jake Fraser-McGurk [Source: @cricbuzz, @AnujTweeting]

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The 23-year-old rising star of Australia, Mitchell Owen, has brought out his explosives in the Big Bash League 2024-25 final match. The right-handed batter bashed the Thunder bowlers to all parts of the ground and scored the third-fastest half-century in the history of the league. He brought up his fifty in just 16 deliveries and immediately became the talk of the cricketing fraternity.

A couple of seasons earlier, another young batter, Jake Fraser-McGurk, created a sensation similar to his aggressive batting. However, in the last one and a half years, JFM has failed to grow as a cricketer and is gradually falling behind the competition.

From Adam Gilchrist to David Warner, Australia have always preferred an absolute blaster at the top of the order in the limited-overs. For the upcoming generation, JFM was hyped by the Aussie media to step into the shoes of Warner. However, the rise of Mitchell Owen might put the DC star's place in danger.

Here is a look at a few reasons why Mitchell Owen could be the next David Warner for Australia - 

3. Better Batting Technique

Jake Fraser-McGurk is a delightful batter to look at. However, sometimes, he overdoes his clear the front leg and slogs across the line too much. As a result, the international bowlers have spotted the weakness and tried to keep the ball away from his range, leading to his frustration and thus throwing away his wicket.

On the other hand, if someone has watched Mitchell Owen bat, he will vouch for the fact that he has a better stance and does not overdo any of his shots. All his shots against the Thunder were hit with the full face of the bat with proper timing, power and execution. Thus, Owen seems a better option for Australia to fill the shoes of David Warner.

2. Batting Under Pressure

Jake Fraser-McGurk has failed to deliver at the highest level in the chases or under pressure. On the other hand, Mitchell Owen's best performance came in the most important game of the tournament, the final. This shows that Owen has a great temperament and an attitude to succeed in the big matches. David Warner was known for his ability to deliver in the big matches and under pressure. Owen seems to have that in him, and he could be a perfect replacement for the left-handed opener.

1. Batting Against Spinners

In the BBL 14 final, Owen showed that he can be equally severe against the spinners and the pacers. This gives a better chance for him to succeed away from Australia in the subcontinent conditions. This theory will be put to the test only when he gets a chance on the Australian side and visits the subcontinent to play. So, with an overall and all-rounded batting technique, it seems like Owen could be a perfect replacement for David Warner.