McDERMOTT HITS AUSSIE BIG TIME

DOLPHINS PRODUCT INTO ONE-DAY SQUAD

GOLD Coast product Ben McDermott could be on the verge of an ODI debut after he was drafted into Australia’s squad as fitness concerns linger over veteran Shaun Marsh.

The son of former Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott and a The Southport School graduate, the batsman will join captain Aaron Finch’s squad in Adelaide before Friday’s second ODI against South Africa.

Marsh, 35, was ruled out of Sunday’s series opener in Perth because of an abscess on his buttocks and the Test batsman is also likely to miss the Adelaide Oval clash.

“Part of the decision to include Ben is to ensure we have appropriate coverage should Shaun Marsh fail to recover in time,” Australia’s chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement yesterday.

“We will continue to monitor Shaun’s progress and give him every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the match.”

McDermott, 23, was summoned into the squad despite not featuring in any top-grade cricket since last month’s tour of the United Arab Emirates.

The part-time keeper (pictured) played four Twenty20 internationals, averaging 11.3 runs. The youngster has not played for Tasmania in the

Sheffield Shield this season.

But McDermott has strong form in the domestic one-day tournament for Tasmania, striking two centuries and a half-century.

McDermott famously smashed 114 off just 52 balls in the Hurricanes’ win against the Renegades at Etihad Stadium two summers ago.

McDermott has long been touted for big things after hitting an unbeaten 206 for the Gold Coast Dolphins at under-17 level against Redlands in the 2009/10 season.

While playing for the Heat, he switched to Tasmania in recent years in search for greater first class opportunities.