The exiled Ben McDermott has delivered selectors a timely reminder of his sparkling ability less than a year out from Australia’s home T20 World Cup campaign, blasting his second Big Bash League century.
The Queenslander wasn’t a member of Australia’s triumphant squad at the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, but he mounted a strong case for inclusion in the next edition in an unbeaten knock of 110 from just 60 balls at Bellerive Oval on Monday.
McDermott struck 12 fours and five sixes to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to a seven-wicket win over the Adelaide Strikers inside 18.3 overs.
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And some of the strokes he played were astounding, none more so than a lap shot that had a Peter Siddle delivery racing for four over a short fine leg when he was on 89.
Former Australia all-rounder Brendon Julian was stunned at McDermott’s innings.
“That is simply superb,” Julian said on the Fox Cricket broadcast.
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Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin had high praise of his own for McDermott.
“You will go a long way to see a better innings than that,” Haddin said.
“He lost his captain Matty Wade early, but what he showed tonight was some brute force … It’s also come with a touch of class … What a knock from Benny McDermott.”
https://twitter.com/BBL/status/1475409607694569472
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The 27-year-old right-hander is now one of seven players with two BBL tons to their name, along with Aaron Finch, D’Arcy Short, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Luke Wright and Craig Simmons.
The 2022 T20 World Cup is scheduled to run across October and November.
McDermott has played 17 T20 internationals and two one-day internationals.
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