Ben McDermott, a BBL stalwart who had never tasted the ultimate success in a career that started in 2014 and included brief stints with Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades, decided to end Hobart Hurricanes’ hoodoo in style.
Two runs away from the club’s first BBL title, on this unforgettable night for Hurricanes in late January, McDermott unfurled the ramp and whacked Sydney Thunder quick Nathan McAndrew to the fine-leg boundary. A febrile Ninja Stadium erupted as the celebrations started in Hobart and beyond.
“When you pull out the ramp, it’s either a boundary or you get out, ” McDermott told ESPNcricinfo. “Once I felt bat on ball, I bolted to the dugout to celebrate with the boys.
“I probably should have gone to my good mate Wadey [Matthew Wade who was at the non-striker’s end] first, but the emotions took over. I’ve been at the club for almost 10 years, so I had been waiting a while for this. Hitting the winning runs was pretty special and the celebrations were epic. I’ll never forget that.”
Hurricanes’ spectacular transformation from perennial underachiever to champion was ignited by Mitchell Owen, a relatively unproven allrounder who elevated to the top of the order with remarkable success.
The move proved a masterstroke and unlocked what had been an inconsistent batting line-up previously. But it also needed significant buy-in from McDermott, one of the most successful openers in BBL history who famously cracked consecutive tons in the 2021-22 season.
The reshuffled batting-order meant McDermott shifted down to No. 4, a role requiring versatility rather than just bludgeoning during the powerplay. McDermott adapted well and there were times when he even reined in his trademark belligerent batting, finishing with an average of 37.20 and striking at 144.19.
While a lot of attention will again be focused on the sheer brute force of Owen and Tim David, McDermott looms as particularly invaluable for Hurricanes’ batting-order due to his flexibility, big hitting prowess and wealth of experience.
He could return to the top of the order in the absence of recruit Jake Weatherald, who will miss the early part of the season due to the Ashes. But he should bat primarily at four or five, perhaps alternating with David depending on match-up and game situation.
Ben McDermott has opened up the freelance world by not holding a state contract•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty
“I’ve batted at the top of the order for a long time, but the coaching staff identified before last season that we needed to change,” McDermott said.
“We needed someone to really get after the powerplay and Mitch was an absolute game-changer. I’m more than happy to bat four, or five if Timmy David wants to move up the order. I’ll do whatever the team requires.”
McDermott’s improved versatility has been widely noted and he remains a batter of interest for the national hierarchy even though he hasn’t played international cricket since Australia fielded a shorthanded T20 line-up against India in the immediate aftermath of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Having never quite been able to nail down his opportunity, averaging 18 and striking just under 100 across 25 T20Is, McDermott’s international hopes had started to fade away as younger batters emerged on the scene.
After last summer, which ended with scores of 4 and 17 in the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia, McDermott decided to leave Queensland and concentrate on the franchise cricket circuit.
He snapped up a number of deals, including the PSL, the CPL and the Abu Dhabi T20 as well as last month’s Hong Kong Sixes. “Just trying to give everything that I can to the shorter format,” McDermott said. “It’s paid off and I do believe that I can get a lot better the more time and focus I put into it.
“Training has actually gone up, but it’s more individualised now so I can get in and out quicker.
“It’s a lot more time away from home, which can be a little bit tough and taxing. But it’s a lot more quality time when I’m at home now with my wife and kids.”
In late October, McDermott was added to Australia’s squad for the T20I series against India as a back-up batter, with the team missing several first-choice players due to Ashes preparation and injuries.
Ben McDermott hasn’t given up on adding to his Australia caps, and was briefly called up earlier this season• Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
“I wasn’t really sure where I sat in terms of the Australian selectors,” he said. “But being in the mix of the India T20I series was a nice surprise. I guess I’m still not too far out of the picture.
“Playing for your country remains the pinnacle of cricket for me. It’s still my number one aim and also playing international cricket does open doors for other things as well.”
While McDermott’s chances of selection in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad appear slim, he does add to the overall depth and his age – having turned 31 this month – suggests he’s still very much in his prime years.
Quickly gaining experience in different roles and conditions, McDermott is becoming a better rounded T20 batter and – with wicketkeeping part of his skillset – he is also keen to take the gloves more to further his appeal.
“Australia’s T20 team is going in a direction where quick runs are definitely a factor,” McDermott said. “The coaching staff and selectors have been reminding me of trying to find ways to score quicker.
“Playing spin was probably my weak point, so I’ve been working really hard on that. Playing on challenging, spinning wickets in the CPL has really helped develop my game against spin and so too batting in the middle-order for Hurricanes.
“I’m hoping to have more chances behind the stumps as well and I do keep up my skills with the gloves. It’s fantastic to still be in those national conversations and I’ll be doing everything I can to play T20 cricket for Australia again.”
A confident McDermott is eyeing a big BBL season as Hurricanes aim to join powerhouses Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers as the only clubs to successfully defend their title.
“We know we are coming in with a bit of a target on our backs,” he said. “Teams are going to come at us with some different plans and we’ll have to combat that, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m really excited about what I’m doing and where my game is at. I’ll go anywhere and am really keen to play as many leagues as I can. But it’s great to be home and playing for Hurricanes again.”
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
