Hurricanes opener becomes most prolific run-scorer in single BBL season after surpassing Shaun Marsh's long-standing record
Short smashes BBL runs record
Powerful left-hander D’Arcy Short has inked his named in the KFC Big Bash League record books, usurping Shaun Marsh’s five-year record for the most runs scored in a season of Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition.
The Hobart Hurricanes opener entered tonight’s clash against the Brisbane Heat at Blundstone Arena needing seven runs to top Marsh’s BBL|02 mark of 412 runs.
Short took just four balls to notch the required runs, breaking the record in seven matches, and was ultimately dismissed for 59 - the fourth time he has passed 50 in the tournament.
With the Hurricanes having three home-and-away fixtures to come, the 27-year-old has plenty of time to pile on more runs.
The BBL has expanded to 10 regular-season matches per club in its seventh season, up from eight in previous years.
Marsh played nine matches for the Perth Scorchers in 2012-13, averaging 58.85.
Short has 465 runs to his name at 77.50 this tournament with an eye-popping strike rate of 153.46.
He hammered 122 from 69 balls against the Heat last Wednesday – the highest score in BBL history – and clobbered eight sixes.
Short also made 97 against the Sydney Thunder and 96 against the Adelaide Strikers, turning heads after his first BBL season in 2016-17, where he scored 198 runs.
"It kind of feels like I can't get out," says D'Arcy Short #BBL07 pic.twitter.com/cInOXWbC60
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2018
He can also bowl some handy left-arm spin and has made a strong case for national selection for the coming T20 tri-series against England and New Zealand, which starts on February 3 – the day before the BBL final.
"If it happens, it happens," Short said of his prospects of national selection last week.
"I'm not going to get my hopes up too much – there's a lot of other good talented players playing at the moment as well."
The Hurricanes have won their past five matches and are a genuine title contender after knocking off the Heat by six wickets with 10 balls to spare.