Craig McDermott

Craig McDermott (born April 14, 1965) is 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. He was genuinely fast in his first Ashes tour of 1985, taking 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.