Photo Credit: Queensland Cricket
The Queensland Bulls will welcome back a prodigal son with International limited overs batsman Ben McDermott returning to his home State this season.
McDermott, 28, made his first class and one day debuts for Queensland as a teenager in 2014-15 after being a rookie contracted player, before joining Tasmania where he has spent the past eight seasons.
A recent Australian One Day and T20 International representative, the right-hander will reunite with several Bulls players from his formative years after signing a three-year deal with Queensland ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The son of former Queensland and Australian fast bowler Craig and brother of ex-Bulls and Brisbane Heat paceman Alister, he was a Queensland Under-17 and Under-19 representative as well as an Australian Under-19 player.
He made his debuts for Queensland in the same timeframe as current Australian players Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw and Bulls regulars Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Jack Wildermuth and James Bazley.
Queensland Cricket General Manager – High Performance, Bennett King, welcomed McDermott’s return.
“We’re very happy Ben has chosen to come back to Queensland and look forward to him joining with the coaching staff and rest of the Bulls squad once pre-season gets underway,’’ he said.
“He’s got a young family and I’m sure they will be pleased to be a little closer to family and friends in Queensland once they get settled.”
“We’re very keen to work with Ben to help him realise his playing goals and no doubt his experience and skills will be welcomed by the playing group. He’s a seasoned player who has performed in all formats for Tasmania and Australia, and so it will be exciting to see him progress in the future,” King said.
The 2023-24 Queensland Bulls squad will be announced tomorrow while the Queensland Fire squad will be revealed on Monday.
McDermott played 49 first class games for the Tigers, scoring a century and 18 half centuries, as well as 32 List A games with 1374 runs at 45.80 including four centuries and nine half centuries.
A wicket-keeper in his youth, he has taken the gloves at Shield and one day level in his career to date.
Queensland finished fourth in the Marsh One Day Cup and third in the Marsh Sheffield Shield last season.
