Durham sign Australia batsman D'Arcy Short for T20 Blast

The explosive top-order batsman - who also bowls left-arm spin - is set to link up with the squad in July ahead of their opening fixture of the campaign against Northants

Durham have announced the signing of Australia's D'Arcy Short for the 2019 Vitality Blast.

The explosive top-order batsman - who also bowls left-arm legspin - is set to link up with the squad in July ahead of their opening fixture of the campaign against Northants.

Short has made 24 international appearances for his country (four ODIs, 20 T20Is), averaging 32.88 in T20s for Australia, hitting four half-centuries.

In domestic T20 cricket, his record boasts an average of 37.75 with one century and 16 fifties to his name in 62 matches.

Welcome to the North, @ShortDarcy

➡️ https://t.co/JAfDmqipnI#ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/xnDKqUjkMd

— Durham Cricket 🏏 (@DurhamCricket) March 8, 2019

Short's high-class performances for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash have seen him named as Player of the Tournament for two years running. The 2018/19 campaign yielded 637 runs at an average of 53.08 with the opener also chipping in with 10 wickets.

Speaking of the move, Short said: "I can’t wait to get over to Durham and play some cricket; playing in England is something that I have wanted to do for a while and I’m very excited to get started.

"It’s very much a new experience for me and a challenge to play on some different grounds, wickets, pitches and against some new bowlers.

"It’s nice to have Bangers [Cameron Bancroft] who I already know from the Australia set-up and Northy [Marcus North] at Durham, as it’s always a help to have some extra support when you arrive at a new place. Both of them were a big factor in me choosing to join up with Durham Cricket this summer.

Streeeeewth mate.... @ShortDarcy welcome to the Ds pal https://t.co/YxIfSswAQG

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) March 8, 2019

"It didn’t take too much persuasion for me to decide to spend my summer in the North East and I’m looking forward to meeting the lads."

Director of Cricket, Marcus North, added: "It’s exciting for everyone here at Durham to announce the arrival of D’Arcy Short for Vitality Blast this season.

"He’s a great player to have around the dressing room and it offers the younger players a great opportunity to observe one of the finest T20 batsmen in world cricket."