Hobart continues to lock away star firepower on long term deals with Ben McDermott recommitting
Finding some middle order consistency is the missing ingredient for the Hobart Hurricanes as the side chases the one trophy missing from Cricket Tasmania’s cabinet.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HURRICANES blaster Ben McDermott is confident an elusive Big Bash title is within reach of the playing group — if it can find some consistency in the middle order.
McDermott, Hobart’s leading run scorer last summer with 402 runs at an average of 36.5 — including scores of 89 not out, 91 and 96 — has joined a number of players confirming their long-term commitment with a contract extension.
The dynamic right-hander has added another two years to his deal, which will see him remain in purple for at least the next three seasons.
It comes after the side locked away skipper Matthew Wade until the end of the BBL|13 on Wednesday and star death bowler Nathan Ellis re-signed on Tuesday.
McDermott’s move back to the No. 3 spot last tournament paved the way for one of his best individual campaigns, but did leave a hole in the middle order which ultimately cost the side a spot in the finals.
However with the likes of Tim David in sparkling touch in the past 12 months — he recently signed an IPL deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore — McDermott is bullish the one trophy missing from the Cricket Tasmania cabinet is not far away.
“Obviously I’ve been here for a long time now, and [staying] until 2024 is really good,” McDermott said.
“It’s good to see a few of the other boys are recommitting as well, it’s a good group we’ve got and exciting times, hopefully we can go a bit better than last year definitely.
“We’ve mixed and matched around with the top order a little bit I think we’ve got that set,
hopefully we get Wadey for the whole summer this time, I think that’s a good mix with D’Arcy [Short] and Wadey up top and hopefully I can lock in three again.
“Hopefully we’ll get some consistency through the middle and I think we’ll see that with Tim David developing really nicely.
“I think we’re brewing up nicely and hopefully we can go one more step. I feel we can and win a title for the Hurricanes in Hobart.”
McDermott enters the 2021-22 season on the back of another stint with the national side, where he was part of the touring party for series in the West Indies and Bangladesh.
An ankle injury cut his time short in the Caribbean, frustrating the 26-year-old who has been on the fringes of the white ball teams for several years without being able to nail down a permanent spot.
“It was a frustrating tour for me personally. Starting off at the West Indies, I started in that in that T20 side and the one day side and got injured both times.
“Going to Bangladesh was good also, a different challenge as we’ve seen with New Zealand going over there now, it’s a pretty tough wicket to bat on.
“Hopefully I get another go at some stage but very much excited for this summer coming up.”
Pay parity for umps as league targets former players
Umpires statewide will get the same pay for officiating men’s and women’s matches as the league targets an increase in women’s umpires, and former players to join the ranks.
‘Bloods’ culture hits Tasmania University
Arguably one of the biggest names in coaching has stepped in to mentor the senior coaches and staff at Tasmania University as they look to return to finals in 2025. New coach Tom Cleary opens up on his impact.