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Australia opener, Matthew Short on Friday, September 13 made his intentions clear while playing for the side in the second T20I against England at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. With the visitors taking an early lead in the first T20I, the hosts came back in the series to level it 1-1 on the back of Liam Livingstone’s knock of 87 runs.
Earlier in the match, Phil Salt-led side won the toss and invited the Aussie to bat first. On the back of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 31-ball fifty and crucial contribution from wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, the visitors posted 193 at the loss of six wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Although, the Aussie opener, Matthew Short who is eyeing to cement his position in the side with David Warner now retired, added 28 runs in his 24-ball inning.
Matthew Short’s five-wicket haul goes in vain as England win by three wickets
Although, he could not get that perfect outing with the bat, he made sure to make a mark with the ball in the England innings. Stand-in captain, Travis Head introduced Short into the attack in the nineth over and just on the second delivery, got the wicket of England skipper. The Aussie opener return into the attack in the 17th over and dismissed Bethell and Sam Curran to get to his three-wicket haul.
The 28-year-old did not stop here with Livingstone looking good for the hosts. Bowling the penultimate over, 19th, Short dismissed English all-rounder Liam Livingstone (87) and Brydon Carse on consecutive deliveries and complete his first-ever five-wicket haul. Short finished with the figures of 5/22 in his three overs, but all his efforts went in vain as England won the match by three wickets and one over to spare.
Matthew Short eyes to cement position as David Warner’s replacement
Speaking after the match, Short opened up of cementing the position at the top of the order with David Warner now out after he confirmed his retirement after the conclusion of T20 World Cup 2024 in June. "Obviously, with Davey Warner out, you sort of know that the spot's opened up. But then Jake Fraser-McGurk has been playing the last few games in Scotland, so you never know where you sit. But I'm glad I sort of took that opportunity tonight and played my role to help the team with a win tonight," Short said after Australia clinched a 28-run win in the first T20I.
"It's a personal sort of goal of mine. I've been in and out of the side recently over the last 12–18 months. Now Dave is out, I'm really trying to take this opportunity and cement my spot in this side," he further added, clarifying his case.
With the three-match T20I series now levelled 1-1, England will next take on Australia in the third and final T20I on Sunday, September 15 at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. After the conclusion of the T20I series, the two nations will lock horns in a five-match ODI series, starting Thursday, September 15 at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
