Higher honours may now be calling for Matt Short after his second consecutive KFC BBL season finishing in the top three of the competition runs tally, but the man himself is determined to let his batting and bowling do the talking.
Short was named BBL|12 Player of the Tournament at the Australian Cricket Awards tonight, capping off two sensational seasons with the Adelaide Strikers since moving to the top of the batting order.
The 25-year-old finished the regular season as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 458 runs at 144.47, winning the award by three votes over Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis.
458 runs 🏃♂️
18 sixes 🙌
11 wickets ☝️
A maiden T20 century 💯What a season it's been for Matt Short – your #BBL12 Player of the Tournament! 🏅 pic.twitter.com/AyDMrGOTvB
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 30, 2023
Short’s stunning unbeaten century against the Hobart Hurricanes on January 5 in the highest BBL run chase of all time was undeniably one of the season’s highlights, and he also scored half centuries against the Sixers and Thunder earlier in the season.
He also took 11 wickets to demonstrate his all-round ability, opening the bowling for the Strikers with his off-spin in every match and finishing with best figures of 3-14.
His form has prompted teammates and coaches to call for Short to play for Australia in the T20 format, and Ricky Ponting has stated that Short should be on the radar of Indian Premier League clubs.
He wasn’t selected in last year’s IPL auction, but he’ll be available as a replacement player if needed, and other opportunities on the global T20 circuit are sure to come knocking after another outstanding Big Bash season.
“When I first came across to the Strikers it was a bit of a struggle through the middle and I was lucky enough that ‘Dizz’ (Jason Gillespie) saw faith in me at the top of the order and put me up there last year and I think that really suits my game.”
Short, who finished fifth in the Player of the Tournament voting with 21 votes last season, is the first Strikers player to win the league’s top award, polling 25 votes to finish ahead of Inglis on 22 and Melbourne Renegades veteran Aaron Finch on 20.
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