Australian great and former selector Mark Waugh has backed Hobart Hurricanes star Ben McDermott to reclaim his place in Australia's T20 World Cup squad.
While Australia continues to wrestle rivals England in this summer's Ashes series, the Big Bash is giving domestic-level hopefuls a chance to prove themselves ahead of this year's international tournament.
McDermott is currently making the most of his chances this season, having made his way to the top of the competition's runs tally with 457 runs at an average of 57.13 across eight innings with Hobart.
That spell includes two centuries - as well as a 93 on Saturday night - to back up a knock of 133 for Tasmania in the Marsh Cup two months ago.
McDermott's scintillating form has put selectors on notice once again, with Waugh believing the 27-year-old's summer should warrant a call-up to Australia's World Cup squad.
"Certainly, in my book he's got to be there," Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
"There's going to be a lot of good top-order players in that squad but he's got to be one of them."
McDermott was promoted to Australia's T20 squad in 2018 and made his debut against the United Arab Emirates in October that year.
The Queensland native has made 17 appearances for Australia on the international T20 stage, while also managing two One Day International matches.
Speaking after his recent Man of the Match performance against the Brisbane Heat, McDermott said he is in a greater position to cement his place in the Australian setup.
"It hasn't gone my way so far, I've had 17 opportunities and haven't made the most of it yet so these couple of tours just gone were a bit of a struggle for me," McDermott said.
"Missing the birth of my daughter and getting injured a couple of times and obviously saw what the conditions were like in Bangladesh, 120 was sort of par so it was conducive to big scores.
"I feel like I am a lot better than what I was when I had that opportunity, it'd be interesting to see if I could take this form into that but in saying that those boys have just come off winning World Cup so I don't really see that side changing."
With star opener's David Warner and Aaron Finch into the twilight of their careers, McDermott firms as a strong candidate to succeed either one of the Australian big-hitters.
The Hurricanes star will look to extend his strong form on Monday as the Hurricanes clash with the Sydney Thunder at the MCG.
