Former Brisbane Heat quick Alister McDermott joins Sydney Thunder for BBL|05 season
Thunder add to fast bowling depth
The Sydney Thunder have signed Alister McDermott, hoping the young Queensland quick will help fill the void left by injured paceman Pat Cummins.
McDermott says he is looking forward to linking up with coach Paddy Upton and skipper Mike Hussey and hoping to learn from the pair.
"I've heard bits and pieces about the techniques Paddy uses, and by the sounds of things it is going to be pretty interesting and exciting," said the 24-year-old.
"I spent a month with Huss in Dubai, everyone knows what a legend he is and what he can bring to the team on the field and what he brings to the team off-field with his leadership and experience is invaluable, I can't wait to get amongst it."
The right-arm quick collected 23 wickets in 18 matches for the Brisbane Heat and is equal 19th on the list of wicket-takers in the competition's four-year history.
With pace spearhead Cummins sidelined for the KFC Big Bash League season with a back injury, McDermott is keen to put his hand up.
"I know what Pat is going through having returned from a stress fracture, it's not a good road but it holds you in good stead when you get back on the field," said McDermott.
"Coming into the Thunder I'm looking forward to hopefully getting an opportunity, most likely at the death and having the chance to show my skills."
Thunder's BBL|05 squad: Fawad Ahmed, Ahillen Beadle, Aiden Blizzard, Pat Cummins, Jake Doran, Chris Green, Chris Hartley, Michael Hussey (c), Jacques Kallis, Usman Khawaja, Alister McDermott, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Andre Russell, Gurinder Sandhu, Shane Watson.