Big Ben can see purple reign
HURRICANES blaster Ben McDermott is confident an elusive Big Bash title is within reach of the playing group – if it can find some consistency in the middle order.
McDermott, Hobart’s leading run scorer last season with 402 runs at an average of 36.5 – including scores of 89 not out, 91 and 96 – has joined a number of players confirming their long-term commitment with a contract extension.
The dynamic right-hander has added two years to his deal, which will see him stay in purple for at least the next three seasons.
It comes after the side locked away skipper Matthew Wade until the end of BBL|13 on Wednesday and star death bowler Nathan Ellis re-signed on Tuesday.
McDermott’s move back to the No.3 spot last tournament paved the way for one of his best individual campaigns, but did leave a hole in the middle order which ultimately cost the side a spot in the finals.
However with the likes of Tim David in sparkling touch in the past 12 months – he recently signed an IPL deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore – McDermott is bullish the one trophy missing from Cricket Tasmania’s cabinet is close.
“Obviously I’ve been here for a long time now, and (staying) until 2024 is really good,” McDermott said.
“It’s good to see a few of the other boys are recommitting as well. It’s a good group we’ve got and exciting times, hopefully we can go a bit better than last year definitely.
“We’ve mixed and matched around with the top order a bit. I think we’ve got that set.
“Hopefully we get Wadey for the whole summer this time. I think that’s a good mix with D’Arcy (Short) and Wadey up top and hopefully I can lock in three again.
“Hopefully we’ll get some consistency through the middle and I think we’ll see that with Tim David developing really nicely.
“I think we’re brewing up nicely and hopefully we can go one more step. I feel we can and win a title for the Hurricanes in Hobart.”
McDermott enters the 2021-22 season on the back of another stint with the national side, where he was part of the touring party for series in the West Indies and Bangladesh.
An ankle injury cut his time short in the Caribbean, frustrating the 26-year-old, who has been on the fringes of the white-ball teams for several years without being able to nail down a permanent spot.
“It was a frustrating tour for me personally. Starting off at the West Indies, I started in that in that T20 side and the one-day side and got injured both times.
“Hopefully I get another go at some stage.”
adam.j.smith@news.com.a