McDermott ready for T20 opportunity

AUSTRALIA’S first Twenty20 World Cup bolter has been locked in, with boom batsman Ben McDermott certain to break into the champion squad for next month’s series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey received a boozy late-night phone call during Australia’s T20 celebrations as the victorious players jokingly suggested he pick the squad for the 2022 World Cup that night.

But ‘Big Ben’ is the first player to threaten for a place in that winning line-up for the title defence after becoming the first player in Big Bash League history to crunch backto-back centuries and those knocks have elevated the Hobart Hurricanes blaster into contention for a place in this year’s T20 title defence.

“He’ll no doubt be in the T20 squad,” captain Aaron Finch told News Corp.

“The way he’s dominated this Big Bash at the top of the order has been so impressive.

“To see him not just get match-winning contributions, but to get big hundreds is so impressive.”

Finch’s Melbourne Renegades were on the receiving end of McDermott’s throttling 127 (65) at Marvel Stadium, which was two days after his unbeaten 110 (60) against Adelaide Strikers.

He has also whacked 93 (61) against Brisbane Heat this summer.

McDermott has had a taste of international cricket, playing 17 T20s and two ODIs for Australia since 2018.

The 27-year-old who credits his 91kg frame and golf swing for that brutal batting power showed his class with a firstclass century against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami last year before blistering BBL knocks of 89 not-out, 91 and 96.

Hobart has shuffled its batsmen around this season although McDermott’s mega knocks have come at the top of the order.

Finch said where he bats for Australia will depend on timing as the multi-format stars expect to miss games to spend time outside of the bubble..