Knocks of 97 and 96 had sparked a change in fortunes for the 27-year-old’s Hurricanes side, but as he faced up to Heat paceman Brendan Doggett in the 19^th over, even he was wondering if he could finally make it into three figures. 

“I tried not to think about it too much but it definitely came into my head when I was on about 95,” he said.

Not that you’d have guessed from the stands.

Needing just four runs to reach the milestone, Short took on the Gabba’s fat side and won, dispatching a half-volley over the fielder at long-on for six.

Another three maximums in the final over took the left-hander to 122 not out – the highest score in BBL history – and placed him firmly in the sights of national selectors.

Not bad for a player who had only 15 Big Bash and 12 one-day domestic appearances to his name.

“I’m just trying to keep still really… to watch the ball hard and not hit it too hard,” Short said of the technique changes that have seen him emerge as a household name.

“(Hurricanes coach Gary Kirsten has been) really good, he’s been challenging me with trying to find different ways of scoring runs. 

“Gary’s just wanted me to try and bat longer in an innings and try and get us to a higher total, so there’s a bit more onus and pressure on me to try and bat further into the innings.”

Just as impressive as Short’s batting at the Gabba was his wrist-spin.

Entering the fold with the Hurricanes wilting under the firepower of Brendon McCullum and Sam Heazlett, the Katherine product took 1-21 from four overs to further press his case for national selection.

“(I see myself as) a potential all-rounder.

“I got picked a lot in Shield cricket (for Western Australia) this year as a bowler more of a batter, so I’ve been working on that a fair bit and trying to get both going.

“I like both (short and long formats), my game’s probably suited a bit more to the shorter form just because I like to hit the ball.”