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Biggest bashers are short-changed: Dan

As a member of the elite group to launch a six out of a stadium, Hobart's Dan Christian says BBL's biggest hits are not being measured correctly

Dan Christian may be the KFC Big Bash League's leading authority on stadium-clearing strikes and he reckons the measurement on D'Arcy Short's colossal six were off.

Christian earned the mantle following his unforgettable – as much for the almost-guilty look on his face as the shot itself – connection that sent the white Kookaburra flying out of the Gabba in BBL|05. 

Christian hits one on the Gabba roof

The veteran allrounder passed judgement on Chris Lynn's huge blow against the Hurricanes at the same venue last Friday (he approved) that most likely landed in the same Vulture Street gutter.

Lynn's hit was measured at 121 metres by Channel Ten, eclipsing Christian's 117-metre effort from the previous summer.

But after seeing Short's powerful flick sail over the Ricky Ponting Stand register at 'just' 101 metres, Christian is all but considering bringing along his own measuring tape along to future BBL games.

"Yeah that was a monster, an absolute monster onto the roof," the 33-year-old told reporters after the Hurricanes' comfortable eight-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers.

"I'm not convinced about these distance measurements though.

"That looked enormous, a lot bigger than 101 metres.

"As did Lynny's the other night, it looked a lot further than 121 (metres) as well."

Christian, who earlier picked up the second-best figures in BBL history, and Short were the stars for 'Canes in front of a 16,000-strong home Blundstone Arena crowd.

Christian bags second-best figures ever

The former Australia limited-overs player has an international hat-trick to his name but he hadn't yet bowled a ball in BBL|06 before his astonishing 5-14, picking up three victims in the final over of the Strikers' faltering innings.

"I've warmed up every game and marked my run-up out, it's just the way the games have panned out that I haven't had a bowl," Christian explained of his haul, which bettered Sean Abbott's New Year's Eve figures of 5-16 but fall short of Lasith Malinga's BBL|02 benchmark of 6-7.

"I've done a lot of death bowling in the past and it hasn't gone that well for me.

"The ball has been coming pretty well in (Sheffield) Shield cricket (this season for Victoria). It's nice to get a few wickets tonight."

And Short, who burst on the scene on BBL debut in the Hurricanes tournament-opener with a brisk half-century, again did the damage for his new side.

Short hits long six onto the roof at Blundstone

The left-hander's lengthy maximum that may well have landed in the Derwent River just about sealed the game for the hosts, having sent Michael Neser's previous two legal offerings over the fence as well.

Considering the 26-year-old didn't have a club before the Hurricanes snapped him up as their final signing in their initial 18-man squad , Short could well prove to be the find of BBL|06.

"He's hitting the ball really well," Christian said of the Northern Territory-product.

"He's a pretty laid-back character, he doesn't seem to get too fazed by a lot."

"It's great to see him doing well. He's a great young kid and it's great to see him take the opportunity."