HAMPSHIRE Hawks have announced that Australian wicket-keeper batter Ben McDermott will be returning to Utilita Bowl for the entirety of the 2024 Vitality Blast.

It will be the 29 year old’s third successive season as part of the Hawks squad – having first joined for their triumphant 2022 campaign.

During his time with the club, McDermott has made 32 appearances and scored 901 runs including nine half-centuries.

Last season his 407 runs came at an average of 31.3 as he was influential in helping the Hawks make a record tenth T20 finals day.

Since then, the explosive opener impressed for Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League scoring 261 runs in just eight games.

He made three scores over fifty in the competition, including a magnificent 95 from 61 balls against Adelaide Strikers.

McDermott said: "I have absolutely loved my time as a Hawk so far, so it was an easy decision for me to come back for this year’s Vitality Blast.

"We have a really exciting squad and I’m confident about our chances of having another successful season and hopefully bringing more silverware back to the Utilita Bowl."

At international level, McDermott has now played for Australia 30 times in the white-ball formats, with his last appearance seeing him score 54 in an IT20 against India.

Hampshire director of cricket, Giles White added: "We are delighted that Ben is returning for the Vitality Blast. He’s become an extremely valuable and popular member of the squad.

"(He is) a great team man and explosive with the bat; he’s an integral part of our T20 plans."

Hampshire's Vitality Blast campaign begins against Surrey on Thursday, May 30 at the Utilita Bowl.