Mercury (Hobart)

DOUBLE D’ARCY?

- BEN HORNE

WITH Peter Siddle rumoured to already be on board, the Tassie Tigers could add Hobart Hurricanes star D’Arcy Short to their ranks for their next Sheffield Shield campaign.

THE man Shane Warne dubbed “the new Davey Warner” is considerin­g a cricket sea change aimed at fulfilling that moniker.

Twenty20 superstar D’Arcy Short has played just 14 first-class matches since debuting for Western Australia in 2016 and is in deep talks with Tasmania about the prospect of moving states for a greater opportunit­y in the longer form.

Warner started out as a

T20 wonder, only to quickly evolve into one of the most damaging Test match batsmen in world cricket.

Short is currently part of Australia’s two white ball teams and is firmly in the frame for the T20 World Cup.

His record in the Big Bash and one-day cup is blistering. But despite Warne’s high profile endorsemen­t, the new master blaster remains a long way from pushing his case for Test cricket.

It’s understood Tasmania has already secured veteran

Peter Siddle for a shock shift from Victoria, while elsewhere in domestic land, NSW have gone on a signing spree and lured quality bowlers Adam Zampa and Chris Tremain back to their home state.

Siddle gives the Tasmanian squad a boost not only in the bowling department, but with on-field leadership given George Bailey has retired and Tim Paine and Matthew Wade are establishe­d fixtures in the Test side.

Short would help solve

Tasmania’s spin bowling dilemma, but chiefly he’d be out to make a mark with the bat, either opening the batting like Warner, or in the middle-order as he’s most recently appeared in Australia’s ODI team.

The 29-year-old already plays for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL and a permanent move to Tasmania would make sense.

Two summers ago, Warne called for Short to be given a crack in Test cricket.

“For me, D’Arcy Short’s the one. If you’re going to change, something, I think D’Arcy Short could be the new David Warner,” Warne said on FOX Cricket’s Test coverage.

“I’ve seen him in IPL action, I think he’s got a terrific technique. I think sometimes his shot selection could get a bit better.

“But I’ve worked closely with him, I worked with him for about a month or so with his bowling.

“I really do believe his bowling is underrated.”

 ?? Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS ?? IN THE CROSSHAIRS: Hobart Hurricanes opener D’Arcy Short could double up his responsibi­lities in Tasmania if he signs with the Tassie Tigers.
Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS IN THE CROSSHAIRS: Hobart Hurricanes opener D’Arcy Short could double up his responsibi­lities in Tasmania if he signs with the Tassie Tigers.
 ?? Pictures: GETTY, AFP ?? SIGN UP: The Tasmanian Tigers are rumoured to have signed Peter Siddle from Victoria and are also chasing D’Arcy Short, inset.
Pictures: GETTY, AFP SIGN UP: The Tasmanian Tigers are rumoured to have signed Peter Siddle from Victoria and are also chasing D’Arcy Short, inset.

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