Aussie master blasters set to face off

Two of Australia's six-hitting heavyweights are set to go toe-to-toe tonight when Chris Lynn's Kolkata Knight Riders take on D'Arcy Short's Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. 

Short stole Lynn's 'King of the Six' crown in last summer's KFC Big Bash, hammering 26 maximums in 11 trips to the middle to claim player-of-the-tournament honours and help the Hobart Hurricanes to the final, which they lost to Adelaide.

Brisbane Heat blaster Lynn had an injury-interrupted season but did enjoy his own moment in the sun, smashing his 100th six in the Big Bash to become the first man to the landmark. 

The two then teamed up for Australia in their T20I tri-series success over England and New Zealand, and quickly became friends. 

"I formed a very strong bond with him in such a short time – I'd never really met him before the tri-series," Lynn told cricket.com.au. 

"We complement each other; two very laidback characters, we've got mutual interests, and I think our style of play is very similar as well."

Lynn has returned scores of five, 22, 49 and 31 with Kolkata this campaign without ever truly getting going, while Short – in his maiden IPL tournament – was run-out for four and six in his first two matches before making 11 on his last trip to the middle in what has been a disappointing start for the Darwin product.  

The more experienced Lynn believes Short has what it takes to play at the top level in all three formats. 

"He's probably at a younger stage in his career than me," Lynn said. "He'll get opportunities around the world to play Twenty20 cricket but I think he's a good enough batsman to wear the Baggy Green; ultimately that's his goal and I think the guy can do it.

"I played national cricket against him growing up and I always earmarked him as a serious cricketer.

"Watching him play over the last two years you can see how much he's developed his game.

"I think he can play Test cricket for a long time with his technique. He's got the best people around him; Ricky Ponting is obviously a massive fan of him, and if you want a bloke in your corner, he's your man."

Lynn said the mild-mannered Short also possesses the attitude for success, while adding that, as an opponent, he is an on-field presence even without opening his mouth. 

"He's a very quietly spoken guy which I love, he doesn't get too far ahead of himself," he added. "He never had to sledge to intimidate you. He just had that aura about him. 

"He's pretty calm but I wouldn't want to get on his bad side, that's for sure."

Told of Lynn's assessment, Short laughed and while he didn't quite disagree with his big-hitting counterpart, he said he was more than open to the odd verbal exchange if provoked. 

"I think (Lynn) thinks I'm a bit of a hard nut or a tough nut," Short said. "I probably can be sometimes – I don't really back down from anyone. 

"If they're getting into me in terms of sledging or anything like that, I'm someone who will stand there and give back just as much, if not more. 

"I tend to be pretty quiet, but if somebody gets on my bad side, or gets into me, I'm not afraid to give back."

Australian viewers can watch the 2018 season of the IPL exclusively on Fox Sports