Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been dealt a major setback as Jonny Bairstow will miss IPL 2023 due to a leg injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) denied Bairstow a No Objection Certificate to focus on his recovery for the upcoming Ashes and the 2023 ODI World Cup. In his place, PBKS has roped in Matthew Short, an Australian batter who plays for the Adelaide Strikers. Despite being an uncapped international player, Short brings a lot to the table with his right-handed batting and off-spin bowling. Here are three reasons Short is the perfect replacement for Bairstow at PBKS in IPL 2023.
1. All-rounder Short adds bowling depth to the Punjab Kings squad.
At 27 years old, Short is a valuable addition to the Punjab Kings team due to his ability to bowl off-spin. With 22 wickets in T20s and an impressive economy rate of 7.31, he brings a solid performance to the table. Short has even opened the bowling in the Big Bash League with positive results, making him a viable option for the powerplay.
2. He plays a Style of Cricket Comparable to Bairstow.
Bairstow is a proven match-winner, displaying his skills for England and other teams he’s played for. Matthew Short is an attacking batsman, showing intent from the outset of his innings. Short, like Bairstow, can rapidly shift the game in his team’s favor. Moreover, he can construct long innings, which Bairstow is known for. As a result, Short is a suitable replacement for Bairstow, with similar playing styles.
3. Recent Form
During the recently concluded Big Bash League, Matthew Short was in stunning form, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 458 runs and a strike rate of 144.47. He scored an unbeaten century against the Hobart Hurricanes, leading his team to victory and earning the player-of-the-tournament award.
In addition, Short has continued to perform well in the ongoing Sheffield Shield, contributing to Victoria’s progression to the tournament’s final. Short’s recent performances suggest that he is in excellent form and could be a valuable asset to any team he represents.
