AUS vs IND 2025: Matthew Short eyes big runs at home Adelaide Oval

Australia’s players will take different lessons from this ODI series against India. For Matt Short, it represents a crucial opportunity to stake his claim for a top-order spot amid what is shaping up to be a fierce selection battle heading into the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The rain-marred opening game in Perth marked Short’s 16th ODI since making his debut, where he batted at No. 8 against India in Mohali. The following year, he found himself at No. 6 against West Indies in Sydney. Subsequently, he enjoyed a consistent run in a more familiar role at the top of the order, highlighted by his career-best 63 against England at the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Since then, however, Short’s journey has been marked by frustration. A quad strain curtailed his Champions Trophy campaign, and a subsequent side injury ruled him out of the T20I series against West Indies, as well as the one against South Africa.

"It's been frustrating…I still feel like I'm moving well. I'm feeling good out in the middle. Just haven't got the runs on the board. But hopefully they come soon. It's been a frustrating year in terms of getting that continuous cricket,” Short told reporters on Tuesday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Short featured in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand earlier in October, but runs have been hard to come by in 50-over cricket for the Victoria batter this season, with scores of 0, 20, and 12. In Perth, he managed 8 off 17 balls before slicing a catch to short third off Axar Patel, missing an opportunity to anchor the chase alongside skipper Mitchell Marsh.

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I'm used to batting at the top: Short

A proven performer at the top of the order for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL), Short has built his reputation in white-ball cricket. However, he remains determined to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way, regardless of his position in the batting line-up.

"It's always going to be tough to get a spot in the XI and I'll sort of take whatever that is, whether it's opening, batting a three or wherever. It's just [about] staying flexible and trying to bat wherever you're put and be able to take that,” said Short.

"Especially the last few years, I'm so used to opening the batting and batting in that top order, but batting a three is not too dissimilar. But if it was to come through the middle, you'd probably need to prep a bit for that but it's something I've done before in the past. If that came to happen, I'd definitely take it,” he added.

Australia were forced to train indoors on Tuesday as rain continued to disrupt preparations at the Adelaide Oval, with further showers forecast for Wednesday. However, conditions are expected to clear in time for match day. Left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the ODI series due to a calf injury, though he is hopeful of returning in time for the T20I series, which begins in Canberra on October 29.