Victorian and Adelaide Strikers star Matt Short is rewarded with an IPL deal

The Punjab Kings are hoping to replace injured Englishman Jonny Bairstow with the in-form Short, provided the ECB provides the BCCI with hard evidence of Bairstow’s season-ending injury.

Bairstow suffered a horrific leg fracture while playing golf in September 2022.

Short, 27, has had an exceptional Australian summer in all three formats for Victoria and the Adelaide Strikers.

His three centuries in his last five innings for Victoria comes shortly after he was named Big Bash League Player of the Tournament.

Short’s form is understood to have been introduced by Punjab coach Trevor Bayliss – and Bayliss’ assistant Brad Haddin – to the Kings board, who then began the replacement process.

While the pin’s confirmation is still on paper, Short’s player manager Zach Whelan explained how his form was the result of support from both Victoria and the Adelaide Strikers.

“When it comes to the IPL opportunity, every cricketer in Australia who plays white ball cricket always has the IPL in the back of their minds,” he said.

“I’m absolutely smitten with him; It takes a lot of hard work to get this opportunity and the support of the Adelaide Strikers and Cricket Victoria.

“The support network around him, Jason Gillespie, Chris Rogers, Cameron White, it’s finally coming through for him.

“This opportunity, although it’s just a back-up opportunity at the moment, Matty will grab it with both hands.”

Of the 14 Australians currently ready to play in the IPL, Ballarat’s Short is the only one who has retained an international cap.

Originally released as a Victorian star, Matt Short gets an IPL deal for the Australian summer purple patch