D'Arcy Short has given Australia selectors a timely reminder of his short-form credentials with a half-century in the Hobart Hurricanes' thrilling five-wicket Big Bash League win over Sydney Sixers.
On the day of his axing from Australia's one-day squad, Short on Friday led Hobart to their fifth win from five starts this season.
Short hit 64 from 42 balls to chase down the Sixers' 8-161 with one ball to spare at Bellerive Oval.
Hefty blows from veteran George Bailey (30 from 17) got the Hurricanes into a position where they needed just five off the final over by Ben Dwarshuis.
Bailey was caught on the second ball of the last over to a diving effort from Moises Henriques, setting up a tense finish.
Hobart snuck a two and single before Simon Milenko hit a leg-side single on the penultimate ball to secure victory.
Short said his snubbing from Australia's one-day squad for the upcoming series against India provided "a little bit" of motivation.
"I'm very happy with the way I'm hitting them. All I can do is keep trying to score runs consistently," he said.
The knock puts Short at the top of the BBL run-scoring charts with 257 at an average of 51.40.
He was bowled by Sean Abbott (2-29) in the 15th over but his side did enough to reach 5-162.
"He's a clean streaker isn't he?," Sixers spinner Steve O'Keefe said of Short.
"He probably had a point to prove after missing out on the one-day stuff."
The Sixers were left to rue some sloppy fielding, including a catch off Short early in his innings where Jordan Silk stepped outside the boundary before releasing the ball back infield.
Short also starred in the field, running out Sixers' skipper Moises Henriques (31 from 24 balls) as the visitor's innings was gaining momentum.
Short fielded a wayward throw from wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, diving to his right before flicking the ball backhanded onto the stumps.
A surprised Henriques was caught several metres short and with his bat in the air.
Earlier, Daniel Hughes' top scored with 61 from 40 balls and shared a 67-run stand with Henriques to rescue the Sixes from a precarious 2-27 during the powerplay.
Hurricanes spinner Johan Botha inflicted early damage on his former side, removing both openers to finish with 3-22 from four overs.
Botha returned in the 15th over to have Hughes caught in the deep when the Sixers were looking to launch.
Former Australia limited-over player James Faulkner picked up 3-26.
The Sixers, who came into the match chasing three straight wins, are fourth on the ladder.
