GUN youngster Matt Short has been picked to make his Australian cricket debut.
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The East Ballarat cricketer will tour New Zealand next month as part of the Aussie under-19 team.
Short, one of four Victorian players named in the squad, was selected following the under-18 talent camp at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
The tour includes four matches, one three-day fixture and three 50-over-a-side clashes against the Kiwis.
Short is now playing with Northcote in Melbourne’s Premier Cricket ranks.
The batsman has enjoyed a strong start to his district career, making 128 on debut in the seconds before receiving a call-up to the first eleven side.
He made eight against St Kilda before a knock of 37 against North Melbourne on the weekend.
The St Patrick’s College year-12 student was one of the leading batsmen at the recent under-17 national titles – in which Victoria claimed the title – and led Central Highlands to this Sunday’s under-18 state championships final at the MCG with a ton in the semi-final.
Short and the Australian squad, which will be under the leadership of Cricket Australia High Performance Coach Stuart Law, is due to arrive in New Zealand on March 27 in time for the first match on March 30.
AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
Matthew Short (VIC), Damien Mortimer (NSW), Ben McDermott (QLD), Jake Doran (NSW), Jaron Morgan (WA), Kelvin Smith (SA), Sean Willis (TAS), Tom Andrews (NT), Joel Logan (NT), Guy Walker (VIC), Cameron Valente (SA), Ben Ashkenazi (VIC), Matthew Fotia (VIC) and Billy Stanlake (QLD).
SCHEDULE
March 30 to April 1: Australia v New Zealand (3-day match)
April 4: Australia v New Zealand (50-overs)
April 6: Australia v New Zealand (50-overs)
April 8: Australia v New Zealand (50-overs)
tim.oconnor@fairfax media.com.au