Australian opener Matthew Short is likely to miss the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final due to a quad injury sustained during the match against Afghanistan. Captain Steve Smith expressed concerns about Short’s recovery time, stating, “I think he’ll be struggling. He wasn’t moving well tonight, and the turnaround between games is probably too quick for him to recover”.

Short’s injury occurred while fielding, and despite scoring a quick 20 off 15 balls, he was visibly hampered. His absence would necessitate changes to Australia’s top order, with Jake Fraser-McGurk emerging as a potential replacement. All-rounder Aaron Hardie and Cooper Connolly, a travelling reserve, are also options.

Australia’s semi-final opponent will be determined after the India-New Zealand match on Sunday. They could face either team in Dubai or Lahore, depending on the outcome. Short’s absence not only affects the batting lineup but also removes a spin-bowling option, adding to Australia’s challenges in their pursuit of a third Champions Trophy title.