Hampshire Hawks bring in Ben McDermott for T20 Blast

Powerful opener McDermott, recently recalled to the Australia national side following fine domestic form in the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, will be available to Hampshire throughout the competition

Hampshire Hawks have signed Australian batsman Ben McDermott for their T20 Blast campaign in 2022.

Powerful opener McDermott, recently recalled to the Australia national side following fine domestic form in the Big Bash for Hobart Hurricanes, will be available to Hampshire throughout the competition.

He will form a potent partnership at the top of the order with captain James Vince, who himself has enjoyed two years of sustained success on the franchise T20 circuit.

^{Ben McDermott will join Hampshire for the T20 Blast (Muhammad Farooq/AFP via Getty Images)}

McDermott, 27, has 94 T20 appearances to his name across his career, of which 20 have come for Australia.

He was restored to the national setup for the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, having accumulated 577 runs at an average of above 48, and with a strike rate of 154, in the 2021/22 Big Bash.

During that tournament, McDermott - the son of former Aussie international seamer Craig McDermott - became the first player in Big Bash history to score hundreds in successive innings, and he finished the campaign with three centuries and two further scores of 50-plus.

He also offers another wicketkeeping option to Hampshire, who can already call on Lewis McManus and Ben Brown to take the gloves. 

^{McDermott enjoyed a fine season with Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash (Mike Owen/Getty Images)}

"Ben is an exciting addition to the squad and we feel very lucky to have signed him," director of cricket Giles White said.

"We were looking for a talented opening batter and Ben fits that mould perfectly. His ability to score runs was on show in the Big Bash League and we hope he can continue his terrific form for us in the Vitality Blast this season.

"As well as being effective with the bat, we believe that Ben will be an excellent fit and can't wait for him to join us."