Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on young batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk, predicting a bright future for the 22-year-old. Ponting believes that Fraser-McGurk, who currently plays for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has the potential to become a three-format player for Australia if he continues to refine his game.

Fraser-McGurk has garnered attention for his explosive batting style, earning him a fast-track entry into Australia’s international setup. Despite missing the first T20I against England at The Rose Bowl on September 11, the youngster’s reputation as a hard-hitting batsman remains intact. His performance in the 2024 IPL under Ponting’s guidance saw him emerge as one of the most exciting talents, but he has yet to fully showcase his potential at the international level.

Ponting, speaking to SkySports, was quick to highlight Fraser-McGurk’s immense talent but also noted areas for improvement. “He’s an extreme talent. He’s a ball-striking talent. He’s still very much a rough diamond though. I’m not sure in his own head he’s actually worked out exactly the right way to go about it yet,” Ponting remarked.

The two-time World Cup-winning captain emphasized that Fraser-McGurk could benefit from expanding his shot selection to score more freely around the ground. "Quite often he’ll get stuck in trying to hit the ball in one direction, usually over long-on or mid-wicket," Ponting explained. "But if he thinks about scoring 360 degrees around the ground, he’s as clean a striker as I think I’ve ever seen."

While Fraser-McGurk’s aggressive approach has earned him accolades, Ponting believes the young batter can elevate his game by thinking more strategically. "He’s probably 5 ft 10, not a big kid, but he hits the ball extremely hard and has got no fear. He’s a gun in the field, and I think in the future, he can be a three-format player for Australia," Ponting added.

Ponting's comments come at a crucial time for Australian cricket, as the team transitions following the retirement of veteran opener David Warner. Cricket experts and fans have already started touting Fraser-McGurk as a potential successor at the top of the order, especially given his success with Delhi Capitals in the IPL.