Craig McDermott says his son Ben could play Test, ODI and Twenty20 cricket for Australia

FORMER Test legend Craig McDermott believes his son Ben could be the answer to Australian cricket’s middle order woes across all three formats in the years to come.

FORMER Test legend Craig McDermott believes his son Ben could be the answer to Australian cricket’s middle order woes across all three formats in the years to come.

The 23-year-old made his Twenty20 international debut last month in the United Arab Emirates and is in the mix to don the national colours in the 50-over format on Friday against South Africa in Adelaide.

Also a capable wicketkeeper, he was on Thursday named in the T20 squad to face South Africa and India across four upcoming matches, including one at Metricon Stadium.

Ben McDermott plays a shot against Pakistan. Picture: AFP

His sudden rise to the top comes off the back of McDermott firing on all cylinders at a time when Australia is in desperate need of quality batsmen.

Having burst onto the scene with a 52-ball 114 two summers ago in the Big Bash League, he recently enjoyed a fruitful JLT Cup headlined by two tons and a total of 427 runs at an average of 71.16 to confirm his launch up the pecking order.

McDermott celebrates a century for Tasmania against South Australia in September. Picture: AAP Image

“As a coach – forget about being his father – looking at him as a player and the way he develops because I have obviously seen a lot of other young players develop in my coaching career, I think he has got the ability to play all three formats at the highest level,” Craig said.

A fast bowler who claimed 291 Test scalps, Craig is these days providing private coaching at Surfers Paradise and is well aware of the hard work that has underpinned his son’s progress.

Craig McDermott celebrates a wicket during his Test career.

After missing out on a place in the 2015-16 Queensland squad, Ben took a punt by heading to Tasmania to take up a rookie contract and has never looked back.

“He has worked extremely hard over those three years to get to where he is,” Craig said.

“He’s gone to England this year and lost eight or nine kilos and he’s super fit and is keeping well and is hitting the ball well.

“He has always had the ability. He has just improved out of sight in the last couple of years and gone to the next level.”

Ben McDermott with Australian coach Justin Langer. Picture: Getty Images

Exemplifying that ability from a young age, McDermott played First XI cricket for The Southport School in Year 9 and made a remarkable double-hundred for the Gold Coast Dolphins at under-17 level.

The one blight to date is the fact he has been run-out in all three of his international innings.

“He would have been very disappointed with that outcome no doubt,” Craig said. “You have just got to move on and play the next game and make sure that those sort of things don’t happen again.”