'The solution to that is you're going to get dropped': David Warner's blunt warning to Jake Fraser-McGurk

David Warner has delivered a blunt message to young opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, warning the 22-year-old will be axed if he doesn't begin translating his colossal potential into sufficient run-scoring.

Adam Gilchrist has also added to the pressure piling on the flashy Melbourne product, arguing he's "selling himself a little bit short" and urging him to pay more respect in the 50-over format.

Three months out from Australia's Champions Trophy campaign, Fraser-McGurk was given a chance to push his case for selection in the recent three-match one-day series against Pakistan, but the right-hander registered scores of 16, 13 and 7.

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On each occasion he took on the new ball in a fashion that was both gung-ho and technically questionable, trying to score at a rate of knots and with virtually no footwork.

Warner and Gilchrist broke down Fraser-McGurk's batting as rain delayed the start of the T20 between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday night.

"We were talking about whether his game plan will change. Well it won't," Warner said on Fox Cricket.

"He's happy with the way that he approaches the game, [but] he'd like a few more runs.

"... If you're not scoring runs, the solution to that is you're going to get dropped. That method he thinks is going to work for him, but sometimes you might have to tinker with that a little bit if you're not scoring runs.

"I don't know the answer … but I hope he comes out tonight and proves a lot of people wrong."

In the reduced match that followed, Fraser-McGurk backed away to Pakistan quick Naseem Shah and tried to smoke the ball through the off side, but was caught at cover and lost his wicket for 9.

He may be included in the Australian squad for the 50-over Champions Trophy, taking place in Pakistan across February and March, but will likely be contending with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head for a spot in the XI once they're back from paternity leave.

"I think he's a better player, he's more skilful than what he's allowing himself to showcase, I really do," Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

"I think he's selling himself a little bit short.

"I get that absolute full-throttle approach in T20 cricket. I just think 50-over cricket ... it is a format where you can have flat spells as a team ... but you can find a way to fight back."

Gilchrist recalled a nugget of wisdom he learned from Mark Waugh, with whom he forged a formidable opening partnership in 50-over cricket and steered Australia to World Cup glory in 1999.

"... Mark Waugh used to say, 'Just forget the scoreboard for five overs, because if you can bat for the rest of the 45 overs, we're fine'," Gilchrist said.

"Imagine if he [Fraser-McGurk] bats 50 overs, or 45 overs.

"Just pay a bit of respect to a new ball in a long-version game.

"He's better than what he's shown."

Gilchrist described Fraser-McGurk as "dynamite" and "box-office", but urged the young enigma to reel in his intensity.

"You don't have to do what everyone expects you're going to do," Gilchrist said.

Ian Healy took aim at Fraser-McGurk and fellow opener Matt Short during the one-day series against Pakistan, accusing them on SEN radio of "playing like schoolyard bullies".

Fraser-McGurk hit back, saying "the game's changed" and they'd been "instructed to be aggressive at the start".

Coach Andrew McDonald defended the aggressive style employed by Fraser-McGurk and Short.