Australia’s players will learn different lessons from the ODI series against India. Matthew Short sees this as a critical opportunity to establish his claim for a top-order berth in what promises to be a tough selection struggle leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The rain-soaked opener in Perth was Short’s 16th ODI since his debut against India in Mohali, where he batted at No. 8. The next year, he was ranked sixth against the West Indies in Sydney. He then enjoyed a solid run at the top of the order, highlighted by his career-best 63 against England in the Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Short’s journey has since been fraught with frustration. A quad strain ended his Champions Trophy campaign, while a subsequent side injury kept him out of the T20I series against the West Indies and South Africa.
“It’s been frustrating…I still feel like I’m moving well. I’m feeling good out in the middle. Just haven’t got the runs on the board. But hopefully they come soon. It’s been a frustrating year in terms of getting that continuous cricket,” Short told reporters on Tuesday.
Short featured in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand earlier in October, but runs have been hard to come by in 50-over cricket for the Victoria batter this season, with scores of 0, 20, and 12. In Perth, he managed 8 off 17 balls before slicing a catch to short third off Axar Patel, missing an opportunity to anchor the chase alongside skipper Mitchell Marsh.
I’m used to batting at the top: Matthew Short
A proven performer at the top of the order for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL), Short has built his reputation in white-ball cricket. However, he remains determined to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way, regardless of his position in the batting line-up.
“It’s always going to be tough to get a spot in the XI and I’ll sort of take whatever that is, whether it’s opening, batting a three or wherever. It’s just [about] staying flexible and trying to bat wherever you’re put and be able to take that,” said Short.
“Especially the last few years, I’m so used to opening the batting and batting in that top order, but batting a three is not too dissimilar. But if it was to come through the middle, you’d probably need to prep a bit for that but it’s something I’ve done before in the past. If that came to happen, I’d definitely take it,” he added.
Australia were forced to train indoors on Tuesday as rain continued to disrupt preparations at the Adelaide Oval, with further showers forecast for Wednesday. However, conditions are expected to clear in time for match day. Left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the ODI series due to a calf injury, though he is hopeful of returning in time for the T20I series, which begins in Canberra on October 29.
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