Sean Abbott's loss is now D'Arcy Short's gain, with the Hobart Hurricanes star called up to Australian duty for their upcoming ODI tour of India.
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With the Sydney Sixers all-rounder ruled out of the tour through a side strain, 29-year-old Short, who has played four one-day internationals for his country, found out about his selection two hours before the Hurrcianes' clash with Melbourne Stars.
"I was a bit rattled to start with but I'm excited to get over there and hopefully get an opportunity," Short said.
"If i get a go, if it's down the order or at the top, I'll take it with both hands and run with it as much as I can and perform to the best of my ability."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Given an indication on his role by chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns, Short said he is most likely to bat in the middle order while offering bowling support to the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson.
Short slides into the ODI squad at a key time in Australian white-ball cricket and with the 2020 T20 World Cup fast approaching, he hopes to use his IPL experience to push his case for selection.
"It's always nice to get that reassurance that you're still around the group and still being looked at to play one-day cricket especially with the World Cup coming around."
"[Batting in India is about] being able to move your feet a lot more to spin. Getting back or forward and not panicking in times when they get on top of you. I guess it's about being positive with your footwork and rotating the strike."
With Australia's first game of the three-match series played on January 14 in Mumbai, Short flies out for India's largest city on January 9, meaning he is still able to take part in the next three Big Bash clashes, much to the delight of captain Ben McDermott.
"He's been one of the leading runscorers for a few seasons now and that comes higher honours as well - if you're going to do that, you're going to get picked for Australia," McDermott said.
"We are going to miss him but at the same time, we get our veteran Wadey [Matthew Wade] back so hopefully we can fill his hole nicely."
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
