D'Arcy Short has run riot for Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG, guiding the BBL ladder-leaders to a clinical 59-run win over Melbourne Stars.
Short struck an unbeaten 96 from 57 balls - the highest score of the season - as the Hurricanes posted 2-185 after being sent in to bat on Monday evening.
Still missing Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa to ODI duties, the Stars were bowled out for a paltry 126 in reply.
The leading run-scorer for the season with 355 at 59.16, Short blasted four sixes and eight fours in a typically entertaining showing.
He can count himself unlucky not to have reached triple-figures, having got his bat to a Dwayne Bravo delivery which the umpire signalled as four leg-byes.
"It was his decision. I can't get angry at him for it," Short said.
"It was good to bounce back after a loss and get another convincing win."
Dumped from Australia's ODI side for the series against India, Short is a strong chance to force his way back into calculations ahead of the World Cup.
Opening partner Matthew Wade also continued his fine form with a polished 41 as the Stars paid the price for some dreadful fielding.
Short was dropped by wicketkeeper Seb Gotch on three, while Wade was spilled by Evan Gulbis in the deep immediately before holing out to a juggling Ben Dunk on the boundary rope.
Gulbis also put down an easy chance to dismiss Ben McDermott (27 not out) in the penultimate over.
The Stars never looked like chasing down their target with Gotch (35) the only batsman who managed to face more than 20 balls.
"I thought we were pretty poor in our execution tonight," stand-in skipper Nic Maddinson said.
"The guys are trying hard ... but when you come up against someone like (Short) and he puts you under pressure early, sometimes it is challenging."
Young quick Riley Meredith snared 4-24 to be the pick of the Hurricanes' bowlers, while Short added figures of 1-16 with his left-arm wrist spin.
The Hurricanes could do no wrong, as demonstrated by Clive Rose's sensational run-out of Jonathan Merlo from a kneeling start at cover.
The visitors' innings was marred by the second BBL umpiring howler in as many days.
Stars paceman Jackson Bird was called for a front foot no-ball - gifting the Hurricanes a free shot - despite replays showing he was safely behind the crease.
It comes after officials in Perth failed to notice Sydney Sixers quick Ben Dwarshuis had sent down seven balls in an over - the last of which dismissed Scorchers batsman Michael Klinger.
