Aussie cricketer heads home after being attacked by a monkey on South Africa trip

Aussie cricketer heads home after being attacked by a monkey on South Africa trip

Young cricket all-rounder Jake Fraser-McGurk has made his way back to Australia after being attacked by a monkey.

Fraser-McGurk, 17, was scratched on the face while visiting a nature reserve near Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape on a team outing last Thursday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Australia is currently competing in the ICC U19 World Cup 2020, taking place in South Africa.

Following advice that Fraser-McGurk be treated within seven days of the incident, Cricket Australia said it had decided to send him back to Australia as a precaution.

“We want to make sure that Jake doesn’t have any ongoing medical concerns as a result of the incident so we have taken the best course of action,” CA’s sports medicine chief Alex Kountouris told SMH.

“This involves the player returning to Australia for the treatment required within the recommended seven days of the incident taking place.

“We expect Jake will be available for selection shortly after he has completed the treatment,” he said.

CA explained the course of action was decided after consultation with his family in Australia.

Fraser-McGurk has taken responsibility for getting too close to the monkey. “You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress,” he said, as reported by SMH.

“But I’m confident we have the team to get the job done in the final two matches.

“I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure. That’s a lesson learnt. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible.

“I’d like to thank all the staff from the nature reserve and Cricket Australia for their care and support,” he said.

Featured image: Jake Fraser-McGurk (Facebook/Australian Cricketers Association)

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