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Short the 'complete package': Ponting

Test great reviews the incredible season of D'Arcy Short and what the future holds for the master blaster

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting says the stats don't lie – breakout Twenty20 star D'Arcy Short is truly having the greatest Big Bash League season by a batter in the competition's history.

After piling on 465 runs at 77.50 in seven hits for Hobart Hurricanes this season, Short has eclipsed Shaun Marsh's mark from BBL|02 for the most runs in a single KFC Big Bash League season with at least three games still to play.

It's a remarkable achievement for the Northern Territory-born allrounder, who national selector Mark Waugh admitted he'd never heard of prior to his BBL debut last season.

Short smashes BBL record with half-century

Ponting, who has been named as Australia's assistant coach for next month's Gillette T20 tri-series against England and New Zealand, believes Short's name will be front of mind for selectors. 

"He's confident, he's a very naturally talented and skilled player, he's not complicating things. When you combine all those things together, he's hitting the ball as well as anyone has hit the ball in the history of this tournament," Ponting told cricket.com.au. 

"Whether that's an overseas import or a David Warner, Shaun Marsh has had some good (T20) tournaments, but I'm not sure anyone has had a tournament quite like D'Arcy Short has. 

"We saw glimpses of it last year early in the season, we saw glimpses of his ball striking ability but he probably hadn't quite worked his game out. 

"He understands the game more now, he understands his own game more now.

"He's a pretty complete package. He got through three overs tonight (in the Hurricanes' five-wicket win over Brisbane Heat), he's a good fielder. I'm sure all the Australian selectors are talking about him right now."

Hurricanes skipper and former Australia limited-over captain George Bailey says Short's inclusion for that T20 international series, which features matches both in Australia and across the Tasman, is a "no-brainer".

Short makes history at the Gabba with century

How exactly Short would slot into that team remains the major question, with the availability of Test stars for the T20 series still uncertain. Australia kick off their T20 campaign in Sydney on February 3 with the final to be held in Auckland on February 21, while the Test side is scheduled to begin a tour match the following day on February 22 in Benoni ahead of their four-Test series in South Africa.

Test vice-captain David Warner, should he be available, and Aaron Finch would be Australia's likely first-choice T20 opening combination, meaning Short may have to settle for a spot further down the order if selected. 

Given his hot form Ponting says it hardly matters where Short bats, pointing to the left-hander addressing the only perceived weakness in his game – his play against spin – that the likes of Heat captain Brendon McCullum have said they’ve tried (and largely failed) to exploit this season.

Short stands tall with huge Hobart knock

Although his strike-rate against spin remains considerably lower compared to his strike-rate against pace (128 v spin, 170 v pace in BBL|07 according to Ten Sport statistician Lawrie Colliver), Short has been dismissed just once by a slow bowler this season after perishing twice to off-spin – both during Power Plays - in BBL|06.

"He's batting that well at the moment, it doesn't matter where he bats," said Ponting, who admits he sees parallels in the way both Short and Warner initially burst onto the T20 scene.

"You'd love to see him open but he's probably not going to knock a Finch or a Warner out of the Australian side. 

"The way he's able to just walk in and strike the ball well from the start - it doesn't matter where he bats, if selected of course.

"It's a different set of circumstances but I think he's batting that well that he can probably cope with it. He was exposed a few times early last season, probably to finger-spin more so than leg-spin. 

"That's where he's developed (this BBL season). He's put pressure back on the spinners when they've come on early every game. 

"He's always going to play fast bowling well - he was brought up in Darwin, played most of his cricket over in Western Australia on fast bouncy pitches. That will never be a problem for him.

"It's going to be a tricky selection actually, the Australian T20 team. There's guys like him that are throwing their hat into the ring and you've already got some very good established players in some of those positions. 

"It will be interesting to see which they go."

Short showcases talent in career-best knock

National selection isn't the only major reward that looms for Short – he is set to be hot property when the auction for this year's Indian Premier League rolls around later this month.

Ponting believes having numerous IPL coaches involved in the BBL will work in his favour, and the fact he bowls more-than-useful left-arm wrist-spin (Short has claimed two wickets from nine overs in BBL|07 and has been the Hurricanes’ most economical bowler this season with an economy rate of 6.66, albeit from a limited sample size) won't be overlooked either.

"Whatever he goes for will be a big payday for him (given) he's put himself into the auction at base price (about $AUD 40,000)," Ponting said.

"Looking back now, he probably wishes he had put himself in a little bit more. But his base price shouldn't matter - he'll go for big money, or decent money, I'd imagine. 

"There will be more than one team looking at him I'm sure. You look around this Big Bash, you've got Stephen Fleming (touted as likely to resume coaching Chennai Super Kings), Brad Hodge (coach of Kings XI Punjab), myself (Delhi Daredevils), Dan Vettori (Royal Challengers Bangalore).

"A lot of guys who are head coaches in the IPL and have seen him up close in the last few weeks. He'll fetch a good price."

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