PARENTAL CONSENT
Gold Coaster could hold keys to Aussie revival ... just ask his dad (who’s a Test great)
AUSSIE Test legend Craig McDermott believes his son Ben could be the answer to the nation’s middle-order woes across all three formats in the years to come.
The 23-year-old made his Twenty20 international debut last month in the United Arab Emirates and is in the mix to don the national colours in the 50-over format today against South Africa in Adelaide.
Also a capable keeper, he was yesterday named in the T20 squad to face South Africa and India across four upcoming matches, including one at Metricon Stadium.
His sudden rise comes off the back of McDermott firing on all cylinders at a time when Australia is in desperate need of quality batsmen.
Having burst on to the scene with a 52-ball 114 two summers ago in the Big Bash League, he recently enjoyed a fruitful JLT Cup headlined by two tons and a total of 427 runs at an average of 71.16 to confirm his launch up the pecking order.
“As a coach – forget about being his father – looking at him as a player and the way he develops because I have obviously seen a lot of other young players develop in my coaching career, I think he has got the ability to play all three formats at the highest level,” Craig said.
A fast bowler who claimed 291 Test scalps, Craig is these days providing private coach- ing at Surfers Paradise and is well aware of the hard work that has underpinned his son’s progress.
After missing out on a place in the 2015-16 Queensland squad, Ben took a punt by heading to Tasmania to take up a rookie contract.
“He has worked extremely hard over those three years to get to where he is,” Craig said.
“He’s gone to England this year and lost eight or nine kilos. He’s super fit, is keeping well and is hitting the ball well.
“He has always had the ability. He has just improved out of sight in the last couple of years and gone to the next level.”
Exemplifying that ability from a young age, Ben McDermott played First XI cricket for The Southport School when he was in Year 9 and made a remarkable double-hundred for the Gold Coast Dolphins at under-17 level.
The one blight to date is the fact he has been run-out in all three of his international innings. “He would have been very disappointed with that outcome no doubt,” Craig said.