D’Arcy Short will make his Australian debut in T20 clash with New Zealand

D’ARCY Short will become the fourth Indigenous man to play cricket for Australia, capping an incredible rise on the back of a stellar season in the Big Bash.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — JANUARY 20: D'Arcy Short of the Hurricanes looks on after diving to avoid a run-out during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Hobart Hurricanes at WACA on January 20, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

D’ARCY Short will become only the fourth Indigenous man to play cricket for Australia in a debut that ranks as one of the most anticipated in recent seasons.

Test great Mark Waugh has already compared Short to captain David Warner, and there is a possibility the explosive rags to riches pair could open together against New Zealand at the SCG.

Short was batting at No. 9 for Western Australia in their last Sheffield Shield match, but from relative obscurity he has produced one of the most remarkable ascensions to international cricket.

The spotlight is on Cricket Australia for this Twenty20 tri-series following the resting of so many top line stars, but 27-year-old Short from the Northern Territory now has a chance to announce himself as the country’s newest superstar, much like Warner did on debut against South Africa way back in 2009.

Short has been unstoppable this season, drawing comparisons to David Warner.

Aaron Finch was scratched on Friday with a hamstring injury, meaning either Short or Brisbane Heat bash brother Chris Lynn will open alongside Warner.

However, even if Short is shifted down the order he is certain to play the opener against the Black Caps in Sydney and join Jason Gillespie, Dan Christian and Scott Boland as the only international male players to represent their country.

Short, who has smashed 504 runs at 56 in 10 BBL matches for the Hobart Hurricanes this season, recently opened up on the importance of his indigenous heritage.

“I know where I come from. I feel a connection with my indigenous heritage,” Short wrote in an article for Players Voice.

“My mob are the Mitakoodi people. They lived along the Cloncurry River in Queensland. They are from my mum’s side of the family, and her mum’s before that.”

“… I’d like to think that when indigenous kids see us playing together in the Big Bash, it sends a message that they can achieve anything they set their minds to with self-belief.”

There is a mixture of Warner and Steve Smith in Short’s journey to the top.

There have been parallels drawn between Short, Warner and Smith.

Like Warner, Short is a clean striker of the ball who has the opportunity to make a name for himself in Twenty20 cricket, after recently pocketing a $700,000 IPL contract.

The similarities with Smith come from the fact Short has been picked as a spinner who bats in the lower-order in Shield cricket, but has the potential to prove he is good enough to develop into an out-and-out batsman.

Australia believe the wicket will suit the seamers, meaning Sydney Sixers local Ben Dwarshuis is also in line for a T20 debut alongside Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson and Billy Stanlake.

“We’ve got to come out and play with freedom and clarity and try to execute as well as we can as a team,” said Warner.

“This wicket looks like it has a bit of moisture in it, obviously pending the weather as well. We could be in for a bit of a seamer, you never know.”

Australia likely: David Warner (capt), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Ben Dwarshuis, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake, Kane Richardson/Adam Zampa

Originally published as D’Arcy Short will make his Australian debut in T20 clash with New Zealand