Sept 12 (Askume) – Matt Short has launched a challenge to fill David Warner’s limited-overs spot in Australia after Jack Fraser McGurk’s disappointing series against Scotland.
Short hit 41 off 26 balls against England and shared a brilliant opening partnership with Travis Head to help Australia win their first 20-over series win by 28 runs in Southampton.
Short missed the Scotland series due to the birth of his first child but was happy to perform well against England.
“I just found out last night,” Short told reporters of his choice.
“Obviously, with David Warner out, you know there is a hole.
“But Jack Fraser-McGurk has been playing in Scotland the last few games so you never know where you’re sitting.
“But I’m glad I took advantage of the opportunity tonight and played my part in helping the team win.”
Fraser McGurk was considered the favourite to start the game, especially after Warner’s retirement in June and he wrote on a photo of himself with the young opener: “The Championship is now yours.”
However, Fraser McGurk scored 16 runs for two ducks in the three-match series against Scotland in Edinburgh.
Short was not named in Australia’s squads for the T20 World Cup against the United States and the West Indies, with the Southampton match being his first T20 match since February.
He said that he is committed to securing a place in the Australian team.
“It’s a personal goal of mine. I’ve been in and out of the team over the last 12 to 18 months,” the Ballarat-born batsman said.
“Now that Dave has left, I really want to take advantage of this opportunity and cement my place in the team.”
Warner’s retirement also left a huge void in the Test team, which Steve Smith filled brilliantly against the West Indies at home and on the tour of New Zealand.
Head coach Andrew McDonald said selectors were still considering the merits of retaining Smith as opener for the five-Test series at home against India in the summer.
“Although we are monitoring the matter closely, no concrete decision has been taken yet,” he told local broadcaster SEN.
