After watching Matt Short wield the willow in wicked fashion against New South Wales last week, former Australian spinner Bryce McGain pondered whether the Victorian might prove the solution to the vacancy at the top of the Test batting order.

The observation, which was made on Melbourne radio on Thursday night following the “duck off” featuring the leading contenders in Mackay during the Australia A clash with India A, is flattering to Short but the Ballarat-born blaster shot it down on Friday.

While the all-rounder, who will open alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk in Monday’s one-day international against Pakistan at the MCG, would love to earn a ‘baggy green cap’ in the future, Short does not believe he is suited to opening in red ball cricket at the moment.

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Having endured some injury niggles at different stages, he wants to get a body of work behind him in Sheffield Shield to demonstrate he is capable of excelling in the longer format.

“I’m always looking for that Test cap. It is always something I have aspired to,” he said.

“But it has been really hard trying to get some back to back games in Shield cricket, especially. I’m playing white ball cricket for Australia, so that’s probably been a bit of a priority for the last couple of years.

“But when the time comes to play Shield cricket, I’ll definitely give my all and try to score runs and take wickets and see what happens.”

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His Victorian teammates Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb are considered candidates to tour Sri Lanka early next year given their prowess of slower, spinning decks. Short is also a chance for a tour that is likely to have implications for the World Test Championship.

But the 28-year-old is aware he needs to play Sheffield Shield and has identified a day-night game against Queensland at the Gabba from November 24 to 27 as an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities in whites prior to the BBL season.

“Personally, I would probably need a couple of Shield games under the belt to see where I am at and get those days under my legs and see how the body holds up,” he said.

“(That tour) is a long way away and there is a lot of cricket to be played before then. But if selected, I am sure I would be right to play and would definitely put the hand up.”

The immediate priority is excelling for Australia against Pakistan, with Short among several talents aiming to cement a spot in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy next February.

Short did not get the chance to face a ball in his only prior match at the MCG against the West Indies earlier this year and is looking forward to the challenge against a Pakistan attack featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

“I was actually thinking about that the other day. It was a big hype up, playing in front of my family and friends, and I didn’t end up batting and only bowled … a couple overs,” he said.

“I think Ronnie said the other day that Jake and I are going to open the batting, so obviously gives me a better chance to get out there and I am really looking forward to it.”

Pakistan is coached by Jason Gillespie, who has been in charge of the Adelaide Strikers during Short’s BBL tenure there, and the Australian is mindful the former great is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses, which adds to the challenge.

“I have just had a chat to Dizzy and he has obviously taken the reigns for their side this series and he has been coaching me in Adelaide for quite a number of years now, so he knows me like the back of his hand,” he said.

“He is probably going to tell them all my tricks and what not. I have probably had him for about six or seven years and he is probably a big reason why I am here today. He gave me the opportunity in Adelaide to open the batting.

“He has seen plenty of me batting in the nets and in games and I am sure he is going to hand that on to some of their bowlers. We will see how we go.”