D’Arcy Short will pull on Gloucestershire colours again next summer after agreeing a fresh deal for the 2026 Vitality Blast.
The 35-year-old left-hander, who last played for Australia in 2020, ended this season’s group phase as the competition’s top scorer with 551 runs at a strike-rate of 136.04. Those numbers, impressive as they were, could not haul the defending champions into the quarter-finals, but the county has moved quickly to secure his services for another year.
“It’s so great to see D’Arcy back for the 2026 Blast,” Gloucestershire head coach Mark Alleyne said. “After a slow start, he proved to be such a brilliant addition to the Glorious, becoming the leading run-scorer across the two groups.
“He is much more than that, though, as some of his innings can really put the opponent on the back foot. His bowling, too, can offer an option to complement our attack, so we look forward to his return with huge anticipation.”
Short, whose left-arm wrist-spin provides useful variation, has 31 white-ball caps for Australia and knows the county well after last season’s stint. “I’m excited to be coming back to Gloucestershire for the Blast again. I loved my time last year. The club makes you feel welcome, and hopefully we can build on last year and have success and make it into finals,” he said.
Gloucestershire are expected to confirm the remainder of their overseas roster later in the autumn, with Alleyne hinting at continuity rather than wholesale change.
