BBL 2023-24: Hobart Hurricanes re-sign Tim David and Ben McDermott

Hobart Hurricanes have extended the contracts of two destructive batters, Ben McDermott and Tim David. The team in purple will look to win the Big Bash League (BBL) for the first time in the 2023-2024 edition of the tournament.

McDermott had a year left on his contract but he signed a two-year contract extension during the first-ever retention week in the league's history. Thanks to this new contract, McDermott's overall tenure for the Hurricanes will span at least a decade. The right-handed batter has been a consistent performer for the Hurricanes as he has managed to score 2296 runs for the team at a strike rate of 139.07 in 82 games.

The 28-year-old has played five ODIs and 23 T20Is for Australia. While his comeback in the 50-over format was decent, he could only score 269 runs in T20Is, with an average of 15.82 and a strike rate of 94.39. A good BBL season could bring the Brisbane-born batter back in contention for a recall to the national side ahead of the marquee World Cup 2023.

I feel at home amongst my teammates and support staff in the Hurricanes setup: David

Tim David, who recently thrilled cricket fans with his exploits in the Indian Premier League, also signed on the dotted lines in a deal that will see him stay at the club until at least 2025. The right-hander had a memorable outing in the 12th season of BBL last year as he scored 354 runs at an average of 39.33 and a strike rate of 160.91. David, who joined the team in 2020, said that he feels at home while playing for the Hurricanes.

"I am very happy to be extending with the Hurricanes for the next couple of years. While I am playing a lot of my cricket overseas, I feel at home amongst my teammates and support staff in the Hurricanes setup, and I am hopeful that I can contribute more to this group going forward," David was quoted as saying by Tasmanian Times.

The forthcoming season of BBL begins on December 7 with Brisbane Heat hosting Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.