D’Arcy Short struck a powerful drive that left Gary Kirsten with a cracked jaw and multiple chipped teeth
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Hobart Hurricanes coach Gary Kirsten was diagnosed with a cracked jaw after he was struck by a scorching drive from opening batsman D’Arcy Short.
The incident occurred when Kirsten was giving Short throwdowns at Blundstone Arena’s indoor nets on Saturday.
In addition to suffering a cracked jaw, Kirsten also had to undergo dental work to repair a number of chipped teeth.
Despite not requiring any surgery, the former South Africa batsman’s mouth was swollen when the Hurricanes went up against the Brisbane Heat on Monday.
“It was wet, so we were in the indoor centre,” Hurricanes captain George Bailey told cricket.com.au. “‘Darce’ just whacked one back at him that he didn’t pick up in time.
“He is hitting the ball pretty cleanly and hard at the moment. It was a bit messy. (Kirsten) has actually come out of it very luckily in the big scheme of things.
“He said that he’s probably been a blasé about that over the years. It’s obviously prompted (a change) – everyone has had (helmets) on since.”
Despite the frightening incident on Saturday, Short continued to make headlined in the Big Bash League (BBL) against the Heat as he struck a fabulous 59 to lead his side to a six-wicket win. He also broke the record for the most runs scored in a season.
Given that Short is averaging 77.50 in the BBL, Bailey feels the 27-year-old is on the verge of being called up to the Australian team.
“The really pleasing thing – his ball striking has always been phenomenal, it was last year as well – but now you can really see the structure he’s putting into his innings,” Bailey said. “If a bowler bowls a good over, he’s happy to take his medicine, if it’s not an end that suits or the time that suits, he’s happy just to play really good shots.
“He’s just hitting the ball where it needs to go, that’s the most pleasing thing from our end.
“It’s phenomenal to see. No doubt he’s going to be wearing some Australian colours soon in at least one format, but most probably two I reckon.
“I’m sure they’ll be looking hard at him. He’s a no brainer for the T20s (against England and NZ in February), isn’t he?”