Special feeling for Ben

The innings that killed off Scorchers’ chances

IT’S an amazing sensation to hit one out of the “screws”, and for hard-hitting Hurricane Ben McDermott, he had that feeling over and over again as he destroyed the Scorchers’ bowling attack in their BBL semi-final.

McDermott’s powerhouse 67 off 30 deliveries with four boundaries and six sixes helped drive a nail into the coffin of the defending champion in their clash in Perth with a BBL record final score of 210.

The stepson of former Test great Craig McDermott loved every second of it.

“It’s pretty good when you get hold of one,” McDermott said.

“You know when you hit the ball if you’ve got it clean or not.

“If you don’t get it quite right, it’s a bit nerve-racking, but if you’ve gotten hold of it, it’s a pretty good feeling.”

It was surreal to crack the bowling to, and over, the rope at Perth’s new $1.5 billion colosseum and get no reward from the crowd.

“Every time we come to Perth the crowd is so hostile,” he said.

“It’s pretty daunting — it was at the WACA and it’s doubly so at Optus Stadium.”

McDermott rated it one of his finest knocks.

“That’s definitely up there for the best innings I’ve ever played in T20 cricket,” he said.

“My ball striking and execution of shots was really good. I had a clear plan and the short straight boundaries suit my game.”

McDermott went in at second drop and smashed an 88-run partnership off 39 balls with fellow slugger Dan Christian, who smacked 37 off 22 (four fours and two sixes).

“We’ve been talking about having a complete performance and we were able to do that with the bat and the ball and in the field as well,” McDermott said.

“If we can do the same in the final it won’t be easy to beat us.”