- May 28, 2025
Even before the first ball is bowled, the 2025 Vitality T20 Blast is already stirring up plenty of excitement. Gloucestershire and Durham have already influenced the transfer window by signing two world-class international players: D’Arcy Short and Jimmy Neesham. These players are not merely the name being an overseas player; they are experienced match-winners and have experience in the most prestigious leagues across the world, and in addition to improving the squad in raw ability, they will also influence the nature of the tournament. So, what do we think about these signings for their teams and the Blast?
D’Arcy Short: The Title Defence Upgrade
As the defending champions, Gloucestershire feared that the T20 this year would prove much harder for them; the margins in T20 are so tight because every other team is looking to knock out the champions. How do you keep yourself at the peak? You sign as many as possible, like D’Arcy Short.
Short will not be new to English conditions – having played for Durham and Hampshire before, but this time he comes as a more experienced and all-round type. A two-time BBL Player of the Tournament and a regular game-definer in Australian domestic cricket, Short adds some power to the top of the order, calmness in the middle, and a decent option with his left-arm spin. Coach Mark Alleyne will not mind at all – and can bet that Short can come in anywhere from 1-6 in the batting order and can impact.
What may define Gloucestershire the most is its full availability during the group stages. Some teams may be juggling players across the group stage due to the IPL safari, but Gloucestershire will have that stability from day one. For a team who are already just Duracell-bunnying their way around the competition, Short may be the tiger that keeps them ahead of the charge.
Jimmy Neesham: Durham’s X-Factor
If there’s one off-season move that failed to excite, it has to be Durham bringing in Jimmy Neesham. Neesham knows the county circuit, understands opponents, and can win hard games in challenging conditions. Neesham provides balance – he is a quality batsman who can finish games, as well as being a bowler who can handle high-pressure situations. In addition to all of that, he is a mentality player – a free spirit, aggressive, and loving the big moments. Durham have had some very decent squads in the past, but despite having great talent, they have missed something – calmness. Maybe Neesham can help with that.
Neesham has good company here too with fellow Kiwi Zak Foulkes, so you have a great overseas spine of the squad. Marcus North (director of cricket at Durham) has made reference that he feels Neesham can help in moving the club forward, which stands to reason.
Timing Is Everything
An overlooked advantage for both Gloucestershire and Durham? Availability. With the IPL finals overlapping the start of the Blast, some teams, including Surrey and Yorkshire, will be missing some key players. Gloucestershire and Durham will have their overseas stars available from the first game. That isn’t an advantage, that is a head-start!
D’Arcy Short and Jimmy Neesham bring more than just big reputations; they bring balance, experience, and that all-important match-winning factor. And with both players playing big roles from the first ball, Gloucestershire and Durham potentially could have just gifted themselves with the best head-start to the 2025 T20 Blast.
Will their early moves pay off, or will the late arrivals from the IPL disrupt the tournament mid-way through it? Either way, this Blast is already living up to its name!
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