Frustrated Short looks to make most of India opportunity

Australia's players will take different things from this ODI series against India. While significant in its own right, for some it's part of their build towards the Ashes, others a first chance at ODI level or an opportunity to reestablish their credentials. For Matt Short, it's an important window to stake a claim for a top-order spot amid what shapes as a tough selection race heading towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The rain-truncated opening encounter in Perth was Short's 16th ODI since making his debut just over two years ago in South Africa. On that day against India in Mohali he came in at No. 8. Earlier the following year he was at No. 6 against West Indies in Sydney. Then came a stretch in a more familiar spot, opening the batting, which including his career-best 63 against England at the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Since then, in his own words, it has been a "frustrating" time for Short amid a run of injuries with firstly a quad strain curtailing his Champions Trophy campaign then a side injury which ruled him out of a T20I series against West Indies and both white-ball formats against South Africa.

He played the three T20Is against New Zealand earlier in October, but runs haven't flowed in 50-over cricket for Victoria this season with scores of 0, 20 and 12. In Perth, he made 8 off 17 balls before slicing a catch to short third off Axar Patel when he had a chance to lead the chase alongside Mitchell Marsh.

"It's been frustrating…I still feel like I'm moving well. I'm feeling good out in the middle," Short told reporters in Adelaide. "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."

Against India, Australia are without Cameron Green (side) and Josh Inglis (calf) from what would be a first-choice ODI XI as they build towards 2027. With Marsh and Travis Head likely locked in at the top, there will be a jostle for positions from there downwards in the post Steven Smith/Glenn Maxwell 50-over era.

Short, who plays for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, has made his name in white-ball cricket at the top of the order, but wants to grasp any opportunity he gets.

"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.

"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."

Australia were forced to train indoors on Tuesday and more rain is forecast on Wednesday but game day is set to be fine.

Left-armer seamer Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the ODI series due to a calf injury. He is hoping to be available for the T20Is which begin in Canberra on October 29.