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Australia's T20 captain Mitch Marsh says there's no pressure on Jake Fraser-McGurk to be an instant hit when opening the batting as David Warner's replacement.
Australia is easing pressure on new T20 opening batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk to be an instant hit after misfiring in his first crack in the role.
Fraser-McGurk is expected to partner Travis Head at the top of the Australian order in a three-match T20 series against England starting on Thursday (AEST).
The 22-year-old replaced retired David Warner in the opening slot for the just-completed series against Scotland, making only 16 runs in three knocks, including two ducks.
But Australia's T20 captain Mitch Marsh says the meagre returns in his debut series won't put any heat on Fraser-McGurk.
"We know he's an exciting talent and he's got a big future," Marsh told reporters in Southampton on the eve of the three-game series against England.
"I love what he's brought to our team both on and off the field so far.
"He is a ripping young kid and he's going to learn a lot by being around this environment.
"From our end and from within our team environment, there's no pressure on Jake to do anything.
"He doesn't need to prove to anyone that he's good enough at this level.
"He's picked here for a reason and international cricket is hard enough without putting pressure on people.
"So we want him to enjoy it, learn as much as he can and take every opportunity in his stride."
The Australians are without big guns Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell for the series which continues on Saturday (AEST) in Cardiff and in Manchester on Sunday.
Paceman Nathan Ellis has flown home because of a hamstring injury with Fraser-McGurk and Perth-born 21-year-old Cooper Connolly making their T20 international debuts in the clean sweep of the three-game series against Scotland.
"We've certainly got guys that are missing this tour and some young guys that are getting opportunity," Marsh said.
"But I don't necessarily see this as a transitional period for us.
"I thought we played some really good cricket (in Scotland), and we're certainly ready to go for this series."
AUSTRALIA SQUAD:
Mitch Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Riley Meredith, Matt Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
