BBL 2023-24: Matthew Short named captain of Adelaide Strikers

Matthew Short, the accomplished top-order batter of Australia, has been appointed as the new captain for the Adelaide Strikers in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL), succeeding Travis Head. Short, who was the player of the tournament in the 2022-23 season, showcased his prowess by scoring 458 runs and claiming 11 wickets. Following this stellar performance, he earned his T20I and ODI debut for the national side.

As the captain of the Strikers, Short is a strong contender for a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. However, he faces tough competition for top-order batting positions, given the presence of players like Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Steven Smith. It is worth mentioning that after the recent T20I series in India after the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, the 28-year-old was strategically placed lower down the order, exploring his adaptability in a finishing role.  

"Matt was a standout choice to take on the captaincy at the Adelaide Strikers and we are thrilled to announce him as our sixth captain When he stepped up last year we were very impressed with his leadership and we are looking forward to seeing him grow further into the role," Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie said on Short's appointment as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Short, on the other hand, also expressed his excitement to lead the team stating, "I really enjoyed the little taste of captaincy I got last season and I'm excited to put my full attention to it in BBL13."

Adelaide Strikers will kick off their campaign against Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on December 9. Travis Head and Alex Carey will miss most of the matches as given the Test schedule of the national side. However, they are likely to return to the squad between the Pakistan and West Indies series in mid-January. Strikers had a terrible campaign in the last edition as they finished seventh in the points table with just five wins from 14 matches.