Matthew Short on his path to gaining a place in the T20 WC side as he outlines clear pathway to next T20 World Cup.
Although Australian all-rounder Matthew Short wants to bat first, he has stated that playing in the middle and lower order is where he has the best opportunity of competing in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
As a reserve player outside of the 15-man roster, the 29-year-old travelled to the West Indies for Australia’s lacklustre 2024 World Cup performance.
Short has a lot riding on the current T20 series against India, which ends in Queensland with games at the Gabba and on the Gold Coast.
He has had his strongest innings for Australia as an opener, including a thrilling 66 off 30 deliveries against South Africa in 2023. However, the team’s brains trust has provided Short, who started his first two games of the current series at No. 7, with a clear idea of how he will be included in the T20 World Cup.
“Personally I think I am suited to the top of the order, but having conversations with selectors and coaching staff, I think, looking forward to that T20 World Cup, I know that our top four or five is going to be pretty locked in,” Short said.
“If I was to make the XI in the World Cup, I think my best chances are in the middle or lower order. We are probably using this series to see guys in different positions and looking ahead to that World Cup.
“[To play at the World Cup] would be massive. I missed out on the one in the West Indies where I was a travelling reserve, but I love playing cricket for Australia no matter if it’s in the World Cup or a series like this. I am happy taking what I am getting, whether that is in the top order or through the middle.”
Short enjoys the ball coming onto the bat, but has set himself a goal of upping the ante when facing spinners.
“There’s always ways to improve,” he said. “Looking at the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, it is probably my game against spin that probably needs a little bit of work.
“Especially when you look at our squad and the power hitters we have got through the middle like Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis … guys that have had that experience in India before and have that real power game against spin.
“It is obviously a challenge, and playing for Australia is not easy, so we will have to wait and see.”