Kirby Short is swapping the commentary box for a desk at Junction Oval, accepting Cricket Victoria’s head-of-female-cricket role a shade under five years after her last WBBL game.
The 38-year-old knows a thing or two about winning. She captained Brisbane Heat to back-to-back titles in 2018-19 and 2019-20, logged 67 WBBL matches as a crafty left-arm spinner and reliable middle-order bat, and spent a decade steering Queensland Fire in the WNCL. Since retiring in 2020 she has juggled board duties with Queensland Cricket and television work for Fox Sports and Seven. Now, despite the obvious Maroon pedigree, she’s headed south.
“My grandfather, Mick Harvey grew up in Fitzroy and was a proud Victorian, so it seems very fitting that I have the privilege of contributing to the advancement of women’s cricket in this state,” Short said. “Victoria has a rich history in the sport, and I’m eager to take on this new challenge in Melbourne, working with the talented players and dedicated staff to build on that legacy.”
She steps into the vacancy left when Sharelle McMahon went back to netball late last year. Graham Manou, Cricket Victoria’s general manager of high performance, sees the appointment as a neat fit. “We’re pleased to welcome Kirby to Cricket Victoria for what is a critical role in our cricket performance program,” he noted. “Kirby’s leadership qualities, combined with her extensive experience in elite cricket, will be invaluable as we continue to invest in and elevate women’s cricket in our state.”
Short’s first months are likely to be more listening than sweeping change—getting across the WBBL, the WNCL squad and the talent pathways takes time. Still, insiders reckon her mix of playing savvy and boardroom experience should translate quickly. It’s a big gig, yet those who’ve watched her lead reckon she thrives on exactly this sort of challenge.
