Craig McDermott Cricketer
Craig John McDermott (born 14 April 1965, in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia where he attended the Ipswich Grammar School) is a former Australian cricketer. He is currently the bowling coach for the Australian cricket team. He was the spearhead of the Australian attack in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Red-haired, powerfully built at 191 cm, 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 (his youth engendering his nickname "Billy" – from Billy the Kid). 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 semi-final 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 Shane Warne and Merv Hughes shared the spoils in his absence. 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 out controversially when attempting to play 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 in chasing 117. His son, Alister McDermott is a cricketer for Queensland. On 12 May 2011, it was announced that McDermott had been appointed the new bowling coach for the Australian cricket team replacing Troy Cooley. On 11 May 2012, McDermott announced his resignation as Australia's bowling coach, citing the heavy touring schedule as the reason.