Craig McDermott (born April
14, 1965), in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia where he
attended the Ipswich Grammar School and was an Australian
cricketer.
He was the spearhead of the Australian
attack in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Red-haired,
powerfully built and 6' 3", he was a sight to watch
at full flight with his face painted with a horizontal
line of white sun-screen across his nose and cheeks
like Allan Donald of South Africa.
He started his career with Queensland
in 1983-84 and made his Test match debut for Australia
in 1984-85 whilst still 19 v West Indies. In his first
Ashes tour of 1985, he took 30 wickets. But he was over-bowled
and was burnt out. He had an excellent World Cup in
1987, helping Australia win the trophy. He took 18 wickets
in the tournament, including 5/44 in the semifinal win
over Pakistan.
McDermott was a rhythm bowler. When
his rhythm was right, he would have an aggressive approach
to the wicket and an excellent sideways-on action, giving
him sharp pace and outswing. But when his rhythm deserted
him, he could look ordinary. He always saved his best
for England, taking 32 wickets in the last full series
that he was able to play before injuries took over.
Injuries seemed to hit him at wrong
times, and he missed the history making West Indies
tour of 1995 and the 1996 World Cup. He also missed
most of the 1993 Ashes tour when in his absence, Shane
Warne and Merv Hughes shared the spoils.
His best bowling analysis in Tests is
8/97 against England in 1991. He ended with 291 wickets
from 70 Tests and 203 one-day wickets with the best
analysis being the 5/44.
In batting, even though his average
is that of a tail-ender, he could still hit the ball
with power and could stand his ground against fast bowling.
In fact, two of the closest Tests that Australia lost,
McDermott played a key role. In 1993, Australia lost
the pivotal closest match in Test history by 1 run to
West Indies when McDermott, on 18 and batting with stout
resistance, was given a controversial caught-behind
off his gloves while hooking a bouncer from Courtney
Walsh. In 1994, he was on 29 not out in the Test against
South Africa that Australia lost by 5 runs, chasing
117.
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