Matt Short has continued a tremendous summer that has seen him rocket into Australian white-ball teams contention, with a century to spark a big Victoria win in the One-Day Cup.
Short (108* off 94 balls) and captain Marcus Harris (78* off 85 balls) helped the Victorians easily catch Queensland’s total of 202 in just 31 overs, finishing 205-1 to earn a bonus point win.
It followed Queensland’s 164-run Sheffield Shield loss against Victoria on Sunday.
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Short was moved up from the middle order and hit 14 fours plus a six for his maiden One-Day Cup century, reaching triple figures in 87 balls.
The performance will only grow calls for Short to be brought into the Australian white-ball teams.
While he was starring for the Adelaide Strikers in the most recent Big Bash season, former Australian white-ball captain Cameron White argued Short was ready for the call-up.
“He’s doing it all; batting, bowling, add in his fielding and his captaincy as well, there’s no surprise that there’s a bit of chat about him getting an opportunity for Australia now so that’s good to see,” White said.
“He’s got a got loads of ability and everyone would be hoping he’d be able to adjust his game quickly and accordingly if he was given an opportunity in any conditions but definitely the quicker wickets here in Australia he’s very much suited … and hopefully he gets a chance at some stage.”
Upon his retirement from the T20I side last week, ex-captain Aaron Finch named Short as one of the contenders to replace him opening.
“There’s a few guys that are putting their hand up. Obviously Travis Head, Matt Short has done brilliantly well the last couple of years and capped it off with the Big Bash Player of the Year,” Finch said.
“Steve Smith … his form is pretty good at the moment as well, he could certainly do it.
“There’s guys all around the place … Josh Inglis, he’s had a chance at the top of the order for Perth and now he’s slotted in the middle order, so he’s adaptable.
“Josh Philippe, Ben McDermott, there’s a lot of guys that could do it, so I think it will come down to whoever gets the first opportunity.
“If they take that, I think they could be away.”
