D’Arcy Short and Jake Weatherald named in NT Strike squad
Fresh off winning the Sheffield Shield with WA, D’Arcy Short is excited to play on home turf as part of the NT Strike.
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He may be in his off-season but D’Arcy Short is not going to take his foot off the gas at this year’s Top End T20 Series.
The Territorian is excited to play once more where his cricketing journey began, and is looking forward to teaching some of the youngsters a thing or two along the way.
“It’s great as it’s my off-season currently so having the chance to put some games together is always nice,” he said.
“I haven’t been back to Darwin in a while so it’ll be nice to be back where my cricket journey started.
“I’m looking forward to helping some of the players and youngsters and provide them with some of my own knowledge and advice on things that worked and didn’t work for me.”
Once a budding cricketer himself, the T20 and one-day international representative still isn’t used to players viewing him as an inspiration.
“It’s strange knowing that some youngsters look up to me,” he said.
“But, I was once in their position, so I always do my best to be a positive role model.
“I’ve never really been overly comfortable with being in the spotlight, but I’ve gotten better as I’ve got older.”
Short is also excited to catch up with his Strikers teammate Jake Weatherald and Tim Paine.
“Catching up with Jakey (Weatherald) will be great and seeing Painey (Tim) again, who has done so much, will be cool,” he said.
“It’ll be great to see him share his own knowledge with the players, and hopefully he can take a bit of the spotlight away from me.”
The Katherine product is also eager to take some time off and wet a line, something he hasn’t had a chance to do of late.
“I’ll definitely go visit some friends and family but I’m also looking forward to having a chance to fish, which isn’t something I’ve been able to do very often since I left (the NT).” he said.
Big Bash stars to spearhead NT Strike’s Top End Series title defence
Territorians and Adelaide Strikers teammates D’Arcy Short and Jake Weatherald will lead the NT Strike’s Top End T20 Series title defence.
Selected in the 14-man squad by coach Simon Helmot and his crew, Weatherald and Short will team up the DDCC’s top players as the side aim for back-to-back titles.
Currently contracted by the Western Australian Cricket Association for the 2024-25 domestic season, as well as the Strikers, Katherine born Short returns to the Top End for the first time since 2022.
Darwin born Weatherald will be making his debut in the series having come off a stellar campaign domestically with Tasmania and taking the Strikers in the finals.
The destructive opening duo will be joined by local power hitters Jacob Dickman and Connor Carrol.
Dickman will take the reins as captain, replacing 2023 winning skipper Matt Hammond who is likely unavailable for the tournament.
Teenage sensation Tom Menzies will make his return to the competition, returning from England where he has been plying his trade over the winter.
The quartet of Matt Hammond, Coby Edmonstone, Harshtik Bimbral and Hamish Martin will all make their return to the side having been integral members of last edition’s title winning team.
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Isaac Conway will pull on the gloves, replacing Michael Kudra who suffered a season-ending injury a couple of months ago.
Junior prospect Cadel McMahon will also make his debut, the 16-year-old being named in the squad having impressed selectors with his performances in the senior grades and Junior Strike League.
Imports Lachlan Bangs and Calean Maladay will round out the side, the duo bringing heat with their fast-bowling.
Stoked to see two Territory talents come up for the competition, NT Cricket chief executive Gavin Dovey said it was hard to quantify the impact the duo will bring.
“From day one he (Short) has said anytime he can come back and play for the NT he is going to,” Dovey said.
“At the moment he is available, so he said ‘count me in’.
“He’s (Short) very low key, very understated but what a talent.
“He’s a match winner, and he showed last year that he still belongs at the elite level of the game.
“I’ve not spent a lot of time with Weatherald, but I’m looking forward to seeing him in the ochre and black.”
Four teenagers, Matthew St Clair, Ralph Stevens, Nicholas Fleming and Archie McCormik, have also been selected as development players, and will gain invaluable experience from their involvement.
NT Strike Squad
(Name, Age, Junior Team)
TEAM:
Jacob Dickman (c) – 26, Darwin C.C.
Lachlan Bangs – 24, Southern Districts C.C.
Harshtik Bimbral – 20, Palmerston C.C.
Connor Carroll – 22, Nightcliff C.C.
Isaac Conway – 27, Waratah C.C.
Coby Edmonstone – 23, PINT C.C.
Matt Hammond – 27, Southern Districts C.C.
Hamish Martin – 25, Palmerston C.C.
Cadell McMahon – 16, Palmerston C.C
Tom Menzies – 18, Darwin C.C.
D’Arcy Short – 33, Palmerston C.C
Charlie Smith – 20, Nightcliff C.C.
Caelan Maladay – 22, Nightcliff C.C
Jake Weatherald – 29, Tracy Village C.C.
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS:
Nicholas Fleming -18, Nightcliff C.C.
Archie McCormick – 18, Waratah C.C
Matt St Clair – 16, Southern Districts C.C.
Ralph Stephens – 16, Darwin C.C
TEAM MANAGEMENT:
Simon Helmot – Head Coach
Tim Paine – Assistant Coach
Udara Weerasinghe – Assistant Coach
Dylan Slater – Assistant Coach
Coen McKinnon – Manager
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