Australian sport has a new power couple, with Matt Short and Madi Wilson going public with their relationship at the Australian Cricket Awards on Monday night. Adelaide Strikers batter Short and Olympic swimming champion Wilson looked completely smitten as they walked the blue carpet together and posted a number of photos on social media.
Wilson was over the moon for Short after he was named BBL player of the year following a breakout season with the Strikers. At the end of the BBL regular season, Short had the most runs of any player (458), as well as the second-most fours (42) and second-most sixes (18).
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The 27-year-old scored a career-best 100 not out against the Hobart Hurricanes to help the Strikers pull off the highest-ever successful run chase in BBL history (230). Only two other men scored centuries in the Big Bash this summer.
"I've got Adelaide to thank," Short said as he accepted his award on Monday night. "I've been there for five years now. The first few years didn't go to plan but to be given the chance up the top of the order there, that's where I thrive."
Wilson posted a number of photos with Short on Instagram, writing: "Deserves the hardest launch." A number of cricket and swimming stars commented on the photos, including Chris Lynn, Meg Harris, Brianna Throssell and Lani Pallister.
While Short's feats in the BBL have been very impressive, he has a long way to go to match those of his new girlfriend. The freestyler and backstroker is a two-time Olympic gold medallist as a member of the 4x100m freestyle relay teams who won at the 2016 and 2020 Games.
She also won gold medals at the world championships in 2019 and 2022, as well as the Commonwealth Games last year. The 28-year-old helped set three world records at the world short course championships in Melbourne in December.
Short also found success with his part-time off-spin this season, regularly opening the bowling for the Strikers. He took for 3-14 against the Brisbane Heat in December – the best figures of his T20 career.
He also snared the first wicket as the Strikers bowled the Sydney Thunder out for just 15 early in the tournament, which was part of a record-breaking bowling performance for the Adelaide attack. Short was also selected in the BBL's team of the tournament last season, but lost out to rival opening batter Ben McDermott for the player of the year award.
Elsewhere on Monday night, Sydney Sixers all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner was presented with her award for WBBL player of the tournament. She was announced as the winner in November.
Belinda Clark Award – Beth Mooney (129 votes)
Allan Border Medal – Steve Smith (171 votes)
Women's ODI Player of the Year – Beth Mooney
Women's T20I Player of the Year – Tahlia McGrath
Shane Warne Men's Test Player of the Year – Usman Khawaja
Men's ODI Player of the Year – David Warner
Men's T20I Player of the Year – Marcus Stoinis
Women's Domestic Player of the Year – Annabel Sutherland
Men's Domestic Player of the Year – Michael Neser
Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Courtney Seppel
Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Lance Morris
Community Champion Award – Usman Khawaja
Woolworths Cricket Blaster of the Year – Mabel Tovey
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath
with AAP
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