Hurricanes star eyes national return as Tigers gun batter looks set for a comeback
Billy Stanlake has opened up on his bid to return to international level while applauding the return of a gun batsman to Tasmania.
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Ben McDermott is set to bolster Tasmania’s playing stocks for next summer.
Queensland Cricket confirmed the 30-year-old’s release for personal reasons this week and he’s now expected to become a Tiger again for the first time since 2023.
Tigers quick Billy Stanlake said he is excited at the prospect of playing with McDermott.
“He is a fantastic player and all the boys love him, we’ve been really good mates since we were little kids, I am looking forward to having him in town all year round,” Stanlake said.
“I actually had dinner with him last night at his house, we were having a bit of a chat about it.
“Yeah it is exciting for the group to have him back and I am thrilled to have him back.
“He is looking to play for Tasmania but we haven’t spoken too much about that, I think he is just looking forward to getting back home and getting the family settled and I am sure he will be ready to go for that first game.”
McDermott was in the final season of a three-year deal with Queensland but instead decided to head back to Tasmania where he played most of his career.
The former Australia T20 and ODI representative made his debut for Tasmania on a rookie deal in 2015 after making his Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup debuts for Queensland as a teenager.
Stanlake eyes Australian call up.
Hobart Hurricanes quick Billy Stanlake is determined to continue pushing for national selection after being named in the Australia A squad.
Fresh off signing a new two-year deal with the Hurricanes, Stanlake is set to return from a shoulder injury which kept him out of the BBL championship, when the Aussies take on Sri Lanka in Darwin next month.
Stanlake said he will use this upcoming tour to cement a spot in the Australian line-up, aiming to build on the seven one-day and 19 T20 internationals on his resume.
“Any time you play for Australia A or whatever you play for, you always aim to play well, that’s what I try to do,” Stanlake said.
“I always want to get back into the Australia team, that’s a goal of mine and it is a little bit of an opportunity especially with the injuries they have had.
“But I like to just take it just one game at a time and not look too far ahead.
“So it is exciting for me to get out there and play some cricket this time of the year and I feel like I am in a really good place physically and feel like I am bowling well.”
Stanlake has played just the 10 matches for Tasmania in the Sheffield side and is determined to build on his red ball game.
“Definitely still have an eye on the red ball and playing Shield cricket,” Stanlake said.
“It’s something I sort of haven’t had a proper crack at yet, I feel like it is a format I can play pretty well.
“I definitely feel like I have a bit left there to desire and have a crack at and hopefully I can get some of that in this year and have a real good dip at it.”
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Originally published as Hurricanes star eyes national return as Tigers gun batter looks set for a comeback
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