Durham sign D’Arcy for Short game

Australian international D’Arcy Short has joined Durham Cricket for the 2019 Vitality Blast season.

Renowned as one of the most exciting white ball cricketers in the world, the lefthanded top order batsman, who can also bowl left-arm leg spin, will join up with the squad in July - prior to Durham’s opening home fixture at Emirates Riverside against Northants Steelbacks.

The 28-year-old - who has made 24 international appearances for Australia including 20 T20I’s and averages an impressive 32.88 - is the second overseas signing for Durham Cricket, following the announcement that fellow countryman Cameron Bancroft will join the squad for the entire 2019 campaign.

Short made his ODI debut against England at Cardiff last year and has featured prominently throughout Australia’s recent white-ball fixtures. His blistering innings of 76 from just 44 balls helped the Aussies record the highest T20I run-chase of 244 against New Zealand last year.

Well-known for his early-order aggression with the bat and unique bowling style, Short has become a musthave for franchise cricket and has featured for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, and IPL side Rajasthan Royals in recent years.

His recent performances in the BBL, which included scoring 637 runs, hitting six half centuries, a high score of 96* and taking 10 wickets, saw him named Player of the Tournament for the second consecutive season.

“I can’t wait to get over to Durham and play some cricket; playing in England is something that I have wanted to do for a while and I’m very excited to get started,” Short said.

“It’s very much a new expe- rience for me and a challenge to play on some different grounds, wickets, pitches and against some new bowlers.

“It’s nice to have Bangers [Cameron Bancroft] who I already know from the Australia set-up and Northy [Marcus North] at Durham, as it’s always a help to have some extra support when you arrive at a new place. Both of them were a big factor in me choosing to join up with Durham Cricket this summer.

“It didn’t take too much persuasion for me to decide to spend my summer in the North East and I’m looking forward to meeting the lads.”