Ben McDermott’s stocks continue to rise after match winning heroics against Sydney Thunder
Ben McDermott, arguably the most in-form batsman in domestic cricket across all forms this summer, has caught the eye of several Test greats. However he refuses to get caught up in the hype.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BEN McDermott has heard the external noise about being touted as a potential Test candidate but is refusing to get swept up in the discussion for higher honours.
Fresh from his latest Big Bash heroics against the Sydney Thunder, McDermott’s stocks continue to rise as arguably the most in-form domestic player this summer across all formats.
He now has 397 runs at an average of 49.6 from nine BBL innings, including scores of 89 not out against the Melbourne Renegades, 91 against the Stars and Monday night’s 96.
Only Sydney Sixer Josh Philippe (421 runs at 38.2) has scored more runs from two additional matches.
McDermott entered BBL|10 as Tasmania’s most prolific batsman in the Adelaide Sheffield Shield hub on the back of 355 runs at 59.1 and four half centuries, as well as a superb unbeaten 107 against an Indian A side featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Gabba Test debutant Navdeep Saini.
And while his form has caught the eye from the likes of Test legends Shane Warne and Allan Border, the Hurricanes star won’t be looking too far ahead.
“I’m aware of the comments but you can’t look too much into it and can’t base your game around trying to play for Australia, that doesn’t really work too well,” McDermott said.
“If you are playing the team game and scoring runs obviously that stuff is a bonus.
“It’s the most consistent I’ve been. In previous years I’ve had good patches in one day cricket, other years had good patches in Sheffield Shield and had a good Big Bash without linking them all together.
“Hopefully this year I can do that. I started pretty well in the Shield season and obviously got that hundred in the A game, which was really nice to finally get that hundred after a few 90s.”
Australia is likely to have two squads in different countries late next month, with three Tests slated against South Africa and a five match T20 series locked in for New Zealand.
Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith would be shocked if McDermott was not picked for a return to the national T20 set-up — the last of his 12 internationals was in November 2019 — but believes a baggy green is also within reach.
“He has already played white ball cricket for Australia, I would be very surprised if he didn’t get selected on that New Zealand tour, especially considering there are two squads potentially being picked,” Griffith said.
“He had a good Shield season, but what the players do if they want to play Test cricket is they make big hundreds.
“That’s the next challenge for Ben, is to knock the door down and make his case irresistible and you do that by making big hundreds.
“What he is currently doing this season has been brilliant for Tasmania, brilliant for the Hurricanes and if he continues on this trajectory, fingers crossed he can be an all format player for Australia down the road.”
VFL move on agenda for draft hopeful
He’s given himself an outside chance of draft selection with a stellar TSL season. And a Tassie AFL gun is helping push Oscar Van Dam’s cause as he eyes a VFL move.
Tassie squads look to defend landmark national crowns
They created history last year, but Tasmania’s inclusion squad isn’t resting on its laurels as it looks to repeat the dose. And the state’s wheelchair team is keen to follow suit.