Australia's opening batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk has been ruled out of the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in South Africa after being scratched by a monkey a few days ago. The incident occurred during a team outing at a nature reserve after Australia's win over England in Kimberley last week.

Fraser-McGurk still managed to play the quarterfinal against India but following consultations with the medical staff and his family, the decision was taken to send him back home for precautionary treatment within seven days of the accident. Australia lost the knockout quarterfinal fixture against India in which the 17-year-old was run out for a duck without facing a delivery, but his side will still play two more matches in the tournament to determine their ranking at the next Under-19 World Cup.

"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," Cricket Australia's Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Kountouris said. "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."

Fraser-McGurk, who kickstarted his tournament with a 97-ball 84 against West Indies, admitted that the incident was down to his own misjudgement. "You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress," Fraser-McGurk said. "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 learned. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible."