The Aussie was once - as so many Australian sportspeople are prone to do - resting on his laurels. "Probably just going through the motions," as Short told the ABC. 

Short always had the talent, the strong shoulders and the physical makeup of a champion cricketer. But he was lacking in motivation, which meant the hard yards never took place.

He was touring for the Australian Indigneous side, but struggling to make it into the WA state team, when firebrand former Aussie-opener Justin Langer set Short's record straight. 

"You're carrying too much weight, you've got really sloppy footwork when you bat, and everyone tells me you're talented but haven't really got the attitude for it," Langer said.

That was all the spark Short needed. 10 shed-kilograms, a three-year deal for the Hurricanes and the Big Bashes' all-time-record highest run score later, Short now dreams of the Baggy Green.

He's the latest in a series of prolific run scorers at T20 level to make their cause known. Big-swinging batsman like Short may just be the future of Australian cricket.

"That's what every kid aspires to — to get the baggy green," Short said.

His state coach agrees.

"He's got his opportunities through white ball cricket, now, hopefully with confidence and opportunities, he will become a really good red ball cricketer," Langer told the ABC.

"There's not a single reason in the world why he couldn't be a Test cricketer, a one-day international cricketer, and a T20 cricketer for Australia."