McDermott plays through back spasm to rescue Tasmania
Ben McDermott scored 128 for Tasmania, rescuing the side from 7-45 after retiring hurt with a back spasm.
Tasmania crashed to 7-45 in their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Bellerive Oval before Ben McDermott and Jake Doran mounted a 166-run partnership for the eighth wicket to reach 241. McDermott retired hurt when a lower-back spasm dropped him to the ground, but returned after lunch to bat through the pain and score 128.
'It took me to ground, it was a really debilitating one,' McDermott said. McDermott tested his fitness at lunch before deciding to return.
Doran contributed 73 in a vital innings. Victoria's 20-year-old paceman Harry Hoekstra had sparked the early collapse with five wickets for 46, including four in five overs.
McDermott accelerated late with 13 fours and two sixes before being caught at slip.
- 128
- McDermott's score
- 73
- Doran's score
- 166 runs
- Eighth-wicket partnership
- 20
- Hoekstra's age
Why it mattersA century built on physical toughness can shift momentum in first-class cricket, turning a collapse into genuine competition and giving a batter selection exposure.
AustraliaThe Sheffield Shield is the main pathway for Australian Test cricket selection, so McDermott's performance may influence his chances of Test recall.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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