Matt Short makes second century in three innings for Victoria

Matt Short showed yet again why he’s next in line for a regular spot in Australia’s white-ball teams with a blistering one-day hundred.

Victorian batting star Matt Short underlined his status as next-in-line for a regular spot in Australia’s white-ball teams after blasting his second century in three innings since returning from India to guide his team to a third one-day win of the season.

Short, who made his T20 and ODI international debuts against South Africa in the lead-up to the World Cup, backed up his fourth Sheffield Shield century last weekend with his second List A ton, making 134 off 100 balls in a one-day clash with Queensland.

The 27-year-old, who was released last week from his duties as an injury reserve at the World Cup, smashed 13 fours and six sixes for 88 of his 134 runs in a barnstorming performance against the Bulls in Mackay.

In pursuit of Victoria’s 6-349, Bulls star Matt Renshaw continued his recent run glut with a century of his own, making 102 off just 68 balls, his second hundred in as many innings as Queensland raced to 1-212 before Test spinner Todd Murphy got involved.

Murphy removed Renshaw among three wickets to steal back the momentum and despite Bulls tailender Liam Guthrie taking 16 runs off a one horrible over from Victoria’s Will Sutherland late in the chase Queensland were all out for 330.

Hundred up 💯

Matt Short is on song out in Mackay!#vicsdoitbetter#MarshCuppic.twitter.com/zXVQcLOAgx

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) October 19, 2023

Short has endured a whirlwind six weeks, playing for Australia in South Africa, then returning home to Brisbane to play for Australia A against New Zealand A, before flying to India where he played two of the three ODIs before the World Cup.

He made single figures in each innings, as he did in the warm-up match against the Netherlands, but was asked to stay on as recognition of his new standing among national selectors.

Short was the second leading run-scorer in last summer’s Big Bash, making 458 runs, including his maiden BBL century, opening for the Adelaide Strikers as part of the highest successful run chase in tournament history (230).

He was named player of the tournament, earnt a call-up to the Indian Premier League and more recently penned a new big-money three-year deal with the Strikers as his star continues to rise.