One year on, McDermott backed to take his chance

Mike Hussey believes Ben McDermott’s forgettable introduction to international cricket last year will only make him better equipped to handle his return to the Australian side in Melbourne tonight.

Glenn Maxwell’s decision to take a break from cricket for mental-health reasons has opened the door for McDermott, who appears set to take the vacant No.4 position against Sri Lanka at the MCG.

It will be McDermott’s ninth T20 International cap, but the right-hander has barely had a chance to prove himself at the top level so far, having faced just 76 deliveries in his eight innings to date.

That streak included an unwanted Australian record of three consecutive run outs in his debut series against Pakistan 12 months ago, which Hussey believes will hold him in good stead for his return.

"The first opportunity he got, he was so keen to do well he ran himself out a few times,” Hussey, Australia’s assistant coach for this Gillette T20 INTL Series, said today.

"Hopefully he can learn from those experiences, take his time (and) assess the situation he comes in at.

"In the other opportunities he’s had, he’s been in a difficult situation or there’s not been many balls to face.

"Hopefully he gets an opportunity over the next few games to show everyone just how good he is.

"He’s a fantastic young player and he’s just craving the opportunity to prove to the world and himself that he’s good enough on this stage."

McDermott’s inclusion for this series underlines a change of thinking from national selectors ahead of next year’s World Cup, with middle-order specialists like McDermott and Ashton Turner preferred ahead of prolific top-order run-scorers like D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn.

The Hurricanes big-hitter says batting late in the innings requires a completely different set of skills to batting at the top.

"Getting off strike is massive," McDermott said.

"You come in with four or five fielders out, so having the power to try and clear the fence from either ball one or giving yourself a couple (of balls to get in) first is important.

"It's power and manipulating the field."

Almost three years since the Queensland-born Tasmanian burst on the scene with a memorable Big Bash century against the Renegades in Melbourne, coach Justin Langer believes the 24-year-old is ready to take his chance.

"If he comes in at No.4 it's a great opportunity," Langer said yesterday.

"He's a gun player, he's got really good numbers, and he's looked fantastic in the nets these last few days.

"He's had a good start to the season so he'll get first crack at it."

Gillette T20 INTLs v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha

First T20: Australia won by 134 runs

Second T20: Australia won by nine wickets

November 1: Third T20I, MCG, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

November 3: First T20I, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)

November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)