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The table-topping Hobart Hurricanes host the Melbourne Stars in the first BBL semi-final, but star opener D'Arcy Short isn't feeling extra pressure.
If Hobart Hurricanes star D'Arcy Short is feeling pressure to continue his bowler-slaying ways in a sudden-death Big Bash League semi-final at home, he isn't letting on.
The table-topping Hurricanes host the Melbourne Stars on Thursday night at Bellerive Oval with a place in the final up for grabs.
Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell pointed out earlier this week all the pressure was on the Hurricanes, but Short was quick to brush it aside.
"It's just another game. I think they're just trying to play mind games. Obviously, we did finish on top and there's that pressure," Short said on Wednesday.
"But we'll just go about our plans and take that confidence into the game."
Short has plundered 602 runs in BBL08, with opening partner and skipper Matthew Wade close behind on 590.
The pair have put on 55 and 95 for the first wicket in the Hurricanes' two wins this season over the Stars.
"We click when we're out in the middle," Short said of his combination with Wade, named on Monday night Australia's male domestic player of the year.
Short said he and Wade worked closely on the tempo of their partnership, even if it meant tempering his natural aggression.
"It just depends on who's feeling better on the day. Who goes hard first and gets the first couple away.
"It's always hard to try and sit back but it's part of what you've got to do sometimes."
Key allrounder James Faulkner has been named in the Hurricanes' 13-man squad after missing the past two matches to rest a knee problem.
Faulkner has bowled heavily for Hobart during the powerplay, something Short targeted as an area of improvement.
"The games we have lost is when they've come hard at us in the first six (overs) and we haven't been able to tie them down. I think we've got to try and stop that," he said.
The Stars have included batsman Nick Larkin in their squad after a 94-run demolition of the Sydney Sixers took them to fourth position.
Maxwell, who smacked 82 from 43 balls in the win, headlines a strong Stars batting line-up.
"They're a dangerous side with (Marcus) Stoinis and Maxwell in there and, obviously, (Sandeep) Lamichhane coming back in," Short said.
"But we've got that confidence and the ability to shut them down."
The Hurricanes have made Bellerive a fortress, winning all six matches there this season, but their recent form has been patchy having lost three of their past five matches.
Hobart Hurricanes (from): Matthew Wade (capt), Qais Ahmad, Jofra Archer, George Bailey, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, David Moody, Clive Rose, D'Arcy Short.
Melbourne Stars (from): Glenn Maxwell (capt), Jackson Bird, Dwayne Bravo, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Sandeep Lamichhane, Nick Larkin, Nic Maddinson, Marcus Stoinis, Dan Worrall, Adam Zampa.
