In-form batsman D'Arcy Short says it would be a dream come true to make Australia's World Cup squad, and he wouldn't even care where he bats.
Short has been on fire during the Big Bash League season, scoring a competition-high 355 runs at an average of 59 for the ladder-leading Hobart Hurricanes.
His strike rate of 141 is also elite.
Eyebrows were raised when Short was axed for the current ODI series against India, with the 28-year-old told to go work on his batting against spin.
Short has responded in the best possible way by scoring a mountain of runs.
The left-hander's most recent innings - an unbeaten knock of 96 off 57 balls against the Melbourne Stars - further enhanced his chances of earning a ODI recall in time for the 2019 World Cup.
"Runs count in any format. It definitely helps your cause if you want to be in the World Cup," Short said ahead of Friday night's clash with the Scorchers in Perth.
"All I can do is keep scoring runs, and hopefully I can get back into (the ODI squad).
"I've always wanted to be in a World Cup. It's a dream of mine, and I'll keep working towards being in that World Cup side.
"I feel like I have (gotten better at spin). I'm a lot more confident against them, and backing myself to put more pressure on the spinners."
Short has averaged 27.66 in his four ODI internationals.
He opens the batting for the Hurricanes, and came in at No.3 in his most recent ODI for Australia - a six-wicket loss to South Africa in November.
But Short, who can also bowl spin, said he would be happy to bat anywhere in the order.
The Hurricanes sit on top of the table with a 6-1 record, while the Scorchers (3-5) are still in a fight for survival despite notching two straight wins.
Short, who plays Sheffield Shield and one-day cricket for Western Australia, knows he faces a unique challenge against the Perth Scorchers' bowling attack.
'They've bowled to me all the time (at training), so they know where to bowl," Short said.
Young Scorchers paceman Cameron Green has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a back injury, but spinner Ashton Agar (ankle) will return against the Hurricanes.
Australian Associated Press
