D'Arcy Short played state cricket in 2011 before drifting to the margins of the set-up over the next six years and almost packed it in. His second coming has been far more successful. He enjoyed a breakout 2017-18 season in the white-ball formats, firstly with Western Australia in the JLT Cup and then, most spectacularly, in the Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes where he was the tournament's leading scorer. That earned him an IPL deal and an Australia call-up - the latter was more successful as he impressed in the T20 tri-series before struggling in India. He was given chances in ODI cricket in 2018 in England and against South Africa at home but couldn't bed down a spot long term.

One of the key figures in the revival of Short's career has been the man now in charge of the Australia team - Justin Langer. It was Langer who implored Short to get fit and then brought him into the WA side for the JLT Cup. In the 2018-19 JLT Cup, Short plunder 257 - 11 short of the world record for a List A innings. He had another outstanding BBL in 2018-19, again leading the run-scoring for the tournament.

Short's story is significant for more than just the fact he has rejuvenated his career. He is also the first Indigenous Australian batsman to represent his country and just the sixth Indigenous cricketer overall after Dan Christian, Jason Gillespie, Scott Boland, Faith Thomas and Ash Gardner.
ESPNcricinfo staff