FROM WOODEN SPOON TO FINALISTS TIWI’s RISE
AUSTRALIAN legend Ricky Ponting has been a vocal supporter of Palmerston product D’Arcy Short all summer.
And it was some shrewd advice from the now assistant coach of the Twenty20 na- tional team that helped the 27-year-old play a career-defining innings against New Zealand in the tri-series match at Eden Park on Friday night.
The gifted left-handed opener blasted 76 from just 44 balls against the Black Caps at the tiny “postagestamp” rugby venue.
That allowed Australia to successfully complete an incredible chase of its world-record 244-run target with a comfortable seven balls to spare.
After a bumper Big Bash campaign, Short showed off all his short-format expertise in only his fourth international fixture.
“I’ve always been told by Ricky Ponting to keep backing my game and keep batting like I was in the Big Bash and I’ll be fine,” said Short, referring to the record 504 runs he cracked for Hobart during the recent Big Bash season.
“That was what I tried to do and it worked.
“When I reflect back on it it’ll definitely be a highlight in my career. “And it’s only just the start.” Short is softly spoken, but not short on belief, as he continues to amaze in the short format.
With his profile now soaring, he will take up a lucrative $775,000 contract with Rajast- han Royals in the IPL after the T20 tri-series, which also features England, comes to a close.
Friday night’s win was the Aussies’ fourth T20I victory in a row, putting them into the final next week.
“I didn’t have any doubt in myself,” Short said of his heroics against New Zealand in front of a parochial and intimidating crowd at the Auckland venue.
“I knew that we had to go out and score from ball one.
“For me, it was just trusting my swing.
“And knowing I can clear the boundary, considering the boundaries back home are considerably bigger.
“I just trusted my swing and didn’t try to hit it too hard.”