BALLARAT teenage cricket sensation Matt Short says he felt extremely comfortable playing his debut firsts match for Victoria on Tuesday, despite the Bushrangers being dominated by Queensland.
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Short, 18, already happened to be in Sydney playing for the Victorian second XI when he got the last-minute call up for his domestic one-day debut at North Sydney Oval.
Coming in at number seven in the batting order, he looked comfortable at the crease to notch up 30 runs off 30 balls, including two boundaries.
However, with Victoria needing upwards of 10 runs an over when he came out to bat, the East Ballarat export eventually holed out to long off as he looked to increase the run rate.
In the end his Bushrangers fell well short, all out for 256 chasing Queensland’s mammoth total of 372.
Short’s knock of 30 was the third highest for the Big V, behind Peter Handscomb (72) and Cameron White (50).
“I felt really comfortable out there batting, I was pretty pleased with how I went,” the tall right-hander told The Courier. “It was hard in a way because a few risks needed to be taken because we were well behind, but it was a great experience.”
Earlier, he was given three overs with the ball, with his off-spinners going for 24 runs on the tiny ground.
Short said he was surprised to receive the call telling him he would be making his debut, but felt that making 94 for club side Northcote at the weekend was probably a factor.
He will now play out the remaining two days of the four-day second XI match against New South Wales in Sydney. The former St Patrick’s College student said he did not expect to keep his spot in Victorian side for long, with David Hussey and Aaron Finch to return from national duties.
“It was a great experience,” he reiterated.
“I would love another opportunity but there are some really strong cricketers still to come back in.
“There were a few nerves before the game, but once I was out there I was fine.”
Short became the 190th cricketer to play for Victoria in one-day cricket and the first Bushranger out of Ballarat since Shane Harwood. His promotion was the latest step in his stunning rise that has seen the batsman progress quickly through the ranks.
His highlights include representing Australia in the ICC under-19 world cup in the United Arab Emirates, rookie contracts with the Renegades and Victorian Bushrangers, and an off-season program at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Queensland that took in a tour of Sri Lanka.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
