Ben McDermott says he will be fully focused on Derbyshire when he joins up with the side in 2021, and he’s looking forward to adding to the club’s strong batting order.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has not played for Australia’s first team since November 2019, but he did hit a brilliant 107 not out for Australia A against India in December 2020.
That performance, along with a number of explosive showings for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash could put him back in the frame for international selection, something that would only be boosted by a strong Vitality Blast campaign with Derbyshire.
However, the 26-year-old insists he is not thinking about his international chances, and is instead focusing on how he can best prepare himself to help Derbyshire to limited-overs success.
“I don’t want to think about international cricket too much,” he said.
“For me, it’s more of a bonus, because over the last couple of years I have gotten a taste of it, and I probably put a bit too much pressure on myself in the Bash.
“I just want to relax and not put too much expectation on it. If you do well in domestic cricket, that’s how you get picked, and I know I’m at my best when I’m in the moment and not putting pressure on myself.
“I’m not coming to Derbyshire just to get into the Australia team, I want to come over, play good cricket and win games for the club.”
McDermott will join a batting line-up containing the likes of Billy Godleman, Luis Reece, Wayne Madsen and Leus du Plooy, who struck 14 half-centuries between them on Derbyshire’s journey to Finals Day in 2019.
Having shown off his big hitting prowess for Hobart, McDermott is looking forward to bringing his talent to The Incoratm County Ground, but says having a strong core of players around him will make adjusting a lot easier.
“It certainly takes the pressure off when you know there’s a few blokes around you who can also score runs,” he added.
“Every team has a good batting line-up these days, particularly in T20. I haven’t had too much chance to watch Derbyshire’s top four, but from what I’ve heard, they’re a really strong batting group, so I’m looking forward to coming over and hopefully putting the icing on the cake.”
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