Ballarat’s Short reveals phone call with selectors

A CONVERSATION with chairman of selectors George Bailey has given in-form batter Matt Short confidence he’s not far away from the Australian setup.

The Aussies released a 16-man squad on Thursday for three ODIs against India this month with a near full complement of players available.

While Short said he’s not disappointed to be overlooked, the 27-year-old Victorian would undoubtedly be among the next into Australia’s white-ball side.

He’s scored two centuries recently, the first helping Victoria to a dominant win over Queensland in the Marsh Cup, and the second against the red ball as Short and the Vics defeated South Australia by 177 runs in the Sheffield Shield.

It wasn’t enough to get him selected, but Short was simply glad to be mentioned in a selection meeting alongside some of Australia’s best.

“I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, not at all,” he said on SEN’s The Sporting Capital.

“George Bailey did me give me a call [on Thursday] morning. When I saw his name pop up I thought, ‘oh geez, I’m in’, but he quickly said I wasn’t picked but my name was definitely thrown out there, which even in itself is a nice recognition to have.

“All I can do now, pretty cliche, is keep focusing on playing for the Vics and scoring runs and that’s what George was saying.

“That’s all can focus on now and hopefully that comes at some stage.”

Originally from Ballarat, Short is also coming off BBL player of the tournament honours.

He’s proven himself as a jack-of-all-trades across the batting order and featured in a number of different spots, but said Bailey suggested at the top of the order is where he could feature.

David Warner was sent home form the current India Test tour with a fractured arm but is expected to be fit in March after being named in the ODI squad.

“He did mention that they’re going with Warner and [Travis] Head at the top of the order and he sort of turned the focus to the T20 World Cup coming up later on,” Short said.

“That might be more of an all-rounder type of setup, they might take eight batters with a couple of guys who can bowl as well, so there’s certainly options coming up.

“I think it’s just a timing thing if I can keep scoring runs and keep getting my name out there hopefully the opportunity comes up.”

The next T20 World Cup is in the United States in 2024, while the ODI World Cup comes later this year in India.

Short, who at the start of 2023 had not scored a century in any format, now has one in all three.

– BY SEB MOTTRAM/ SEN