Jack Short (cricketer)

John 'Jack' Francis Short (born 12 April 1951) is a former Irish first-class cricketer and civil servant.[1]

Short was born at Cork in April 1951, where he was educated at Presentation Brothers College.[2] After completing his secondary education, he studied mathematics and statistics at University College Cork.[2] He graduated in 1974 and took up a post in the Irish civil service.

Playing his club cricket for Cork County,[2] Short made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against Scotland at Alloway in 1974.[3] He played in Ireland's first ever List A match in 1980, when Ireland played Middlesex in the Gillette Cup.[4] He played first-class and List A cricket for Ireland until 1980, making eleven appearances in first-class cricket and five in List A cricket.[3][4] In first-class cricket as an opening batsman, he scored 533 runs at a batting average of 33.31, with a high score of 114.[5] This score, which was his only first-class century, came against Scotland in 1975.[6] In List A cricket, he scored 97 runs with a high score of 37.[7]

His playing career for Ireland came to an end in 1984, when he accepted a position with the OECD in Paris.[2] He played club cricket in Paris for Standard Athletic Club, as well as representing France in minor matches against the Marylebone Cricket Club and Belgium.[2][8]