D’Arcy Short selected as cover for Shaun Marsh in Australian squad to tour India, wants World Cup, Test joy

Big Bash superstar D’Arcy Short hopes selection in the Australian squad for its tour of India is a stepping stone to his World Cup dream and ultimately a Baggy Green — and he knows what he needs to do to achieve it.

Big Bash superstar D’Arcy Short hopes selection in the Australian squad for its tour of India is a stepping stone to his World Cup dream.

Short — the BBL’s leading run scorer — missed selection for the recent home ODI’s against India, but has been included in the touring party as cover for the injured Shaun Marsh.

Marsh is recovering from a hamstring injury and is expected to be available for the third one day match against in India, giving Short, if picked, two T20s and two ODIs to impress.

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D’Arcy Short will pay homage to his heritage using a custom bat featuring artwork created by indigenous artist Marcus McGregor-Cassady. Picture: Luke Bowden

“It’s always good to be picked for Australia, whether it’s for cover or for the full team,” Short said.

“I’ll try use my opportunities as well as I can, if I get them, and try to put my name up for the World Cup.”

Short, whose Hobart Hurricanes have sewn up a spot in the BBL semi-finals on the back of his brilliant batting and bowling efforts, revealed he had been told by national team powerbrokers to focus on improving against slow bowling.

“I’ve been asked to work hard against spin, because that’s probably something that’s going to be used a lot over in the World Cup and especially in India and Dubai … try and find different ways against spin and I feel like I’m working towards that,” he said.

“You get feedback. It’s always helpful information for things to work on to try to get picked again.”

Short hopes his Indian cameo can cement a spot in the Aussie squad. Picture: Getty Images

The 28-year-old still harbours ambitions of playing Tests for Australia and doesn’t believe he has been typecast as a white ball-only player, despite his wild success in the shorter forms of the game.

“To don the baggy green is definitely a dream of mine,” he said.

“It’s something that I’ll keep working towards. Obviously it’s a bit tough this year, not playing many red ball games, but I don’t think I’ve been pencilled in as just a white ball cricketer.

“It’s probably just worked out that way that I’ve done well in T20s and got my opportunities that way.”

EYE-CATCHING: NEW ART FOR SHORT’S BAT

Before tonight’s clash with the Melbourne Renegades, Short has piled on 567 runs — 80 more than teammate and fellow opener Matthew Wade — at a strike rate of 141.04, and his improved left-arm chinamans have added another string to his bow with six scalps.

In December he smashed an Australian List A one-day record 257 runs off 148 balls for Western Australia, with 23 sixes, and in last Big Bash he hit a competition record 122 not out off just 69 balls.

He’s become a fixture in the international T20, averaging better than 32 with the bat, but he hasn’t yet found his feet in the 50 over game, his four ODIs yielding 83 runs at 27.

The sixth indigenous Australian to represent his country, Short, who grew up in Darwin, will use a special Icon blade in tonight’s clash with the Renegades, featuring artwork that pays homage to his heritage.

Short has plundered Big Bash attacks across Australia. Picture: AAP

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Originally published as D’Arcy Short selected as cover for Shaun Marsh in Australian squad to tour India, wants World Cup, Test joy