Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting were playing, and West Indies right-hander Johnson Charles was on strike. It was a cry for help from a young man lost. I'd always just played cricket, then I got into something I thought I would like but I didn't, so I had no clue what to do. At 23, McDermott had been axed by Queensland Cricket and, for all he knew, left to join the vast and variable rank of sporting has-beens, many of whom eternally pine for the past without ever fully coming to grips with the present or – even more frighteningly – the future. The weather in Brisbane has cooled in recent days, and he shivers in the shade. Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott wants the fittest attack in the world. TAG:
Rarely does a bowler get a man-of-the-match award in a one-day game, but this was certainly McDermott’s day. "Just hanging around the guys, that's what kept me going.". McDermott came on to bowl the last over with England needing 17 to win. Zimbabwe were defeated easily as McDermott took one for 13 in 7 overs. Because he had been something of a child prodigy, McDermott's entry into the real world was a particularly rude awakening. In batting, even though McDermott's average was that of a tail-ender, he could still hit the ball with power and could stand his ground against fast bowling. On the surface, all was calm; it appeared he was consolidating on the bright start to his career, with the slight tapering off in his numbers merely a result of batsmen around the country becoming accustomed to his skill-set. Just as importantly, his body withstood the rigours of 128 overs across seven innings. This was Australia’s only defeat in the tournament. McDermott was the spearhead of the Australian attack in the late 1980s and early 1990s. India were in top gear in the return match but McDermott, though expensive, claimed three vital wickets. "A lot of people were like, 'Well you've got a decent record – so what happened?'". "I didn't play any games, but deep down I just didn't feel like I was ready.". cricket.com.au is a production of CA Digital Media - a division of Cricket Australia. "Having Alister at the club means that these guys can see there's a real pathway for them through to state and national representation. Craig McDermott’s World Cup bowling and fielding record: Matches 17, Wickets 27, Average 22.18, Best 5/44, Economy 4.02, Catches 4 Also read - World cup all time records In the opening match he clean bowled New Zealand’s John Wright for a duck and had wicketkeeper Ian Smith caught behind by Ian Healy. He is succinct when discussing his father but insists his shadow was only ever a perceived burden – something manufactured by others and never felt by him. Since he found out he was once again set to be a contracted Queensland cricketer, his mental checklist has lengthened quickly and substantially. Returning Queensland quick reflects on his search for meaning outside cricket, and how he found his way back. "I bowled the first two balls down leg for wides, and I just thought, far out – I don't think I've ever done that before," he says. "I feel more comfortable with it, too, instead of seeing blokes bowling 145-150kph and bumping blokes out and wanting to have a go at trying to do that.". "I know people attach expectations to it, but that's their thoughts, their opinions.".