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Unlike Cummins and Head, who are proven international players in all formats, Fraser-McGurk, 23, is at this stage of his career a white-ball specialist who stands to make more money in overseas T20 leagues than from his state or country.
A freakish striker of the ball, Fraser-McGurk created a stir two years ago when he broke South Africa star A.B. de Villiers’ record for the fastest List A century with a 29-ball ton for South Australia against Tasmania.
Fraser-McGurk has played seven one-day internationals and eight T20s for Australia but has not been picked in the squads for the current white-ball series against India.
The Delhi Capitals bought Fraser-McGurk for $1.64 million at last year’s IPL auction, nine months after their approach to him. His salary for the 10-week tournament is similar to what the top Australian players earn through their CA contract.
If Fraser-McGurk had signed with GMR, he would likely have been required to play in T20 leagues in the United Arab Emirates and America.
GMR Group co-owns the Dubai Capitals, which plays in the UAE International League T20, Major League Cricket’s Seattle Orcas and is in talks to relaunch the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League.
The conglomerate last year bought a majority stake of Hampshire county cricket club for a reported £120 million ($245.9 million).
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