Australia add McDermott to ODI squad

Countries

Cricket365
November 6, 2018

Australia have added batsman Ben McDermott to their ODI squad for the remaining two games of the three-match ODI series at home against the Proteas.

McDermott has not yet been capped in ODI cricket but has played in four T20Is and comes into the Aussie squad as cover for Shaun Marsh.

Marsh missed Friday’s defeat in Perth as he required an operation to remove an abscess from his buttock and is doubtful for the second ODI in Adelaide on Friday.

D’Arcy Short replaced Marsh in the starting XI and batted at number three in the first ODI but was out for a second-ball duck as Australia were bundled out for just 152.

Australia selector, Trevor Hohns, said: “The National Selection Panel has decided to add Ben McDermott to the ODI squad ahead of Friday’s match against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval.

“Part of the decision to include Ben is to ensure we have appropriate coverage should Shaun Marsh fail to recover in time for Friday’s second ODI.

“We will continue to monitor Shaun’s progress and give him every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the match.”

The 23-year-old McDermott was the second leading run-scorer in last month’s 50-over tournament behind Chris Lynn, piling up 427 runs at an average of 71.16 and striking at 90.27, including two hundreds and two fifties.