Matthew Short’s golden summer has continued with a maiden Sheffield Shield century against South Australia at Junction Oval, further pushing his case for international selection.
The 27-year-old peeled off a classy 119 in the second innings, which included 15 boundaries and a six, reaching triple figures in just 113 deliveries.
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Earlier on Tuesday, South Australia was rolled for 114 on a raging green seamer to give Victoria a 55-run lead in the first innings, with the hosts crumbling to 3-23 in reply.
Short combined with young gun Campbell Kellaway for a crucial 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steady the ship and put Victoria in a commanding position on day two.
The Ballarat-born all-rounder eventually fell victim to Redbacks debutant Spencer Johnson, who claimed his maiden first-class five-wicket haul on Tuesday, with Jordan Buckingham taking a smart catch at deep fine leg.
The breakout century comes after Short top-scored for Victoria in the first innings with a swashbuckling 70 off 69 deliveries.
Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Short revealed his counterattacking approach to batting was partly inspired by England’s “BazBall” revolution.
“If I’m playing positive and still playing shots and looking score, I just feel a bit more comfortable batting … I think that’s the plan for me moving forward,” Short said.
“That’s certainly working for me at the moment … I certainly feel pretty comfortable out there.”
Earlier this summer, Short was named Player of the Big Bash League after finishing as the competition’s second-leading run-scorer, accumulating 458 runs at an impressive strike rate of 144.47 for the Adelaide Strikers. He plundered his maiden T20 century during the Strikers’ record run chase against the Hobart Hurricanes in Adelaide last month.
“Coming out of the Big Bash, he learnt a little bit about his game in terms of going through the gears and playing with a bit of tempo,” Victorian batting coach Ben Rohrer told foxsports.com.au.
“It gave him a blueprint of what he could do in red-ball cricket, and also 50-over cricket. He’s such a great ball striker, and he wants to utilise that and put pressure back on the opposition.
“He’s starting to become a very mature batter.”
Last week, Short smacked his maiden List A century during Victoria’s nine-wicket victory over Queensland in the Marsh Cup, scoring an unbeaten 108 off 94 balls at the MCG. He brought up the ton in just 87 deliveries, slapping 14 boundaries and a six to help Victoria chase the 203-run target in 31 overs.
Short becomes just the fourth Australian cricketer to score a century in all three domestic competitions in a season, joining Shaun Marsh, Travis Head and Jake Weatherald on the illustrious list.
“I’m really enjoying it at the top of the order, and even in Shield cricket, being given the licence to bat through the middle and bat with freedom – I think that probably better suits me, just playing my shots,” Short said after the win.
“And not worrying about the ball that’s just happened, going out there and having a bit of fun while I’m doing it.”
Victorian head coach Chris Rogers has helped Short cement his technique over the past couple of seasons, while Rohrer has focused on fine-tuning the powerful batter’s control and temperament.
“He was getting in trouble when he tried to overhit the ball rather than using his levers and staying within himself a little bit,” Rohrer said.
“He’s got more than enough power, but when he just holds that shape for a touch longer, it gives him a bit more control.
“He’ll get it wrong sometimes, and it won’t look so great, but I think he’s got the method now that he knows he can use going forward.
“It’s all about decision-making for him — we know he can hit most balls for four, but it’s just choosing the right time … that’s all part of the learning process for him.”
Following his retirement earlier this month, former Australian captain Aaron Finch identified Short as one of the contenders to replace him in the national T20 side, and Rohrer believes he is “definitely” ready for the challenges of international white-ball cricket.
“We’ve seen what he’s done in the last two Big Bash summer at the top of the order,” Rohrer said.
“He plays spin very well, plays high pace very well. He’s more than set up to be able to do that at the top of the order for Australia.
“Hopefully that comes for him in the near future, and there’s no doubt he’d be working hard to try and achieve that.”
Victoria is 8-285 at stumps on day two with a 340-run lead.
