TSS GUN MCDERMOTT IS TASSIE’S TROPHY TRUMP
A LEAN and mean Ben McDermott has been hailed as Tasmania’s secret weapon as they seek their first piece of silverware in five years in this week’s one day cup final.
After a few nervous moments in their run chase, skipper George Bailey (70 not out) and Simon Milenko (57 not out) guided the Tigers to a six-wicket semifinal win against Queensland in Sydney on Saturday.
The Southport School product McDermott is shaping as vital to Tasmania’s chances in Wednesday’s final at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, just days after he was named as a shock selection in the Australian T20 squad for their series against Pakistan in the UAE starting on October 24.
McDermott, the 23-yearold son of Australian fastbowling great Craig, forced his way into the side after his sparkling domestic 50-over tournament with the bat.
While he made just a modest 14 against the Bulls, the Brisbane-born righthander has piled on two centuries and two halfcenturies from six innings this tournament at an average of 91.39.
Bailey said McDermott had come back from a stint playing county cricket in England and the Global T20 in Canada having shed 9kg, and his dedication to his craft was paying off.
“He just looks so sharp from the first ball he faces at the moment,” Bailey said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He went away in the off-season to play in England and he came back and he had lost 8kg or 9kg, which is a phenomenal effort.
“He’s just so hungry to succeed. He works as hard as any young player, he’s really driven.”
The Tigers are chasing their first title since their 2013 Sheffield Shield victory.
Bailey described McDermott as one of the most impressive youngsters he had ever come across and tipped him for big things this summer.
“He’s sacrificed and he’s driven to succeed – it’s one of the things we’ve always really admired about him since he was an 18-year-old when he came down,” Bailey said.
“And he’s still so young. That knowledge and confidence in your game is pretty awe-inspiring at that age.”