Matt Short reveals the heartbreak of missing the Champions Trophy semi-final due to injury

Matt Short has opened up about the heartbreaking injury that forced him out of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final as he prepares to make his return.

Matt Short has opened up about the heartbreaking injury that forced him out of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final as he prepares to make his return to cricket in the Pakistan Super League.

Short played two games during the Champions Trophy and scored 63 runs against England in Australia’s opening clash of the tournament before withdrawing due to a quad injury.

“It was a bit of an emotional time,” he said.

“I felt like my form was going well and starting to fit into the group really well.

“Being a major tournament, getting to the finals was something we planned on doing and did do but to miss out on the semi there was pretty heartbreaking and to head home early was disappointing.

“But the injury’s going fine now, I’m right to head to Pakistan in a couple of weeks time and head to the PSL (Pakistan Super League).”

Cricket Australia Executive General Manager National Teams Ben Oliver, Matt Short, Mayor Tom Tate and EGC CEO John Warn pose during the 2025/26 Cricket Australia Schedule Announcement at Burleigh Heads. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Cricket Australia.

Short was at the Gold Coast for the announcement of the upcoming T20 international between India and Australia, to be played at People First Stadium in November.

The clash will mark the first time Short plays at the stadium since the famous BBL13 finals encounter between the Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat, where Josh Brown scored a stunning 140 runs from 57 balls to guide the Heat to victory.

“Obviously a bit of a downer with that game in the final there but always a good crowd and nice atmosphere and we love coming here from a Strikers point of view,” he said.

“Obviously a massive game against India they always pull crowds as well so yeah hopefully put that last game aside and hope this next one’s going to be a better one.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he hopes this will not be the only international clash held in the city, and said he was determined to bring more forms of cricket to People First Stadium.

“I view this game as one of those significant games where it basically breaks the glass ceiling to show that significant cricket games can be played on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“So we would want to see cricket to come to 2032 (Olympics) and if that’s the case, we’ve got wonderful stadiums in South East Queensland, Brisbane included and it will be a major event.

“For us to host something like this and play a major cricket team, (it) goes to show that the needs and wants are there and let’s build it from there.”