Matthew Short out of 1st T20I vs India; BBL sensation joins Australia squad as standby

Matthew Short set to miss 1st T20I [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, Matthew Short is all set to miss the first T20I against India due to a finger injury. Short, who injured himself while fielding in the second ODI at Adelaide Oval, has undergone surgery to recover from the setback. Australia have added Ben McDermott as cover to their T20I squad. 

Philippe's T20I return on the cards; McDermott comes in as a cover for Short

Matthew Short sustained a finger injury while attempting to take a catch in the slips off Josh Hazlewood's bowling in the second ODI against India. He had a cut on his finger and went under the knife to recover from it. Ben McDermott, a known figure in the Big Bash League, has linked up with the Australian squad for the first T20I in Canberra. However, despite McDermott joining the side, Cricket.com.au has reported that Josh Philippe is the frontrunner to replace Matthew Short in the middle order. 

Although Short won't play the first T20I, he hasn't been released from the squad and might return to the Australian XI later, subject to fitness. 

Matthew Short looked in prolific touch in the ODI series against India, slamming 112 runs across three innings at a superb average of 37.33. In 17 T20Is, Short has struck 211 runs at a magnificent strike rate of 156.9. Considering his form and overall T20I record, Short's injury is certainly a setback for the home side. However, McDermott and Philippe have the calibre to step up with vital contributions for Australia in his absence. 

Despite playing a pivotal role for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, Ben McDermott hasn't done anything significant in T20Is so far. Overall, in 18 T20Is, the right-handed batter has managed 342 runs at a miserable average of 18 and a strike rate of 99.70. That said, he has oozed his class in the shortest format, particularly in the BBL, scoring 2782 runs at an impressive strike rate of 138.40. So, it will be interesting to see if he can grab his chance and make a comeback to the Australian T20I side, with Short still recovering from the injury. 

Australia's updated squad for IND T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott (games 1-3), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman (games 3-5), Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis (games 4-5), Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood (games 1-2), Ben McDermott (standby player) Glenn Maxwell (games 3-5), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe (wk), Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Tanveer Sangha

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