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Jason Behrendorff needs to be part of Australia’s Ashes plan

16th October, 2017
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Jason Behrendorff is one of Australia's finest prospects. (Caelie Jones / Perth Scorchers)
Roar Guru
16th October, 2017
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1232 Reads

The Australian team has returned from their subcontinental tours and the area where their Ashes campaign seems to be on track is the bowling attack.

With Mitchell Starc expected to be fit, his collaboration with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood has already raised the expectations among the fans.

The backup pace option is still vacant, though.

James Pattinson has been having terrible luck with injuries and been ruled out, while it looks like Jackson Bird will miss out due to injury as well.

However, this might work well for Jason Behrendorff, who is probably in line to be picked in the squad, after a stellar Sheffield Shield season and playing brilliantly in the recently concluded T20 series in India, where he accounted for four top-order wickets.

The 27-year-old bowled quick and swung the new ball, which makes him an exciting prospect. He also has a brilliant domestic record, with 123 wickets at a stellar average of 22.92. The other crucial statistic is his strike rate – a measly 43.9.

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Behrendorff had a stellar 2016-17 season, picking up 37 wickets in seven games, at an average of 17.59. He also picked up a record 14 wickets in a game with the best of 9-37 in an innings, against the eventual champions Victoria, last season.

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With sharp pace and swing in his repertoire, he will be a welcome addition to the Australian pace attack. Even though Australia already has Starc, who is also a left-arm pacer, Behrendorff provides something different.

Having been on the selectors’ radar for some time, injuries to others and his impressive returns over the last year or so make Behrendorff a prime candidate.

The Ashes is a long and hard series and the Aussies need good backups. Being a left-arm bowler also gives him an added advantage, as he makes for a good replacement if Starc needs to be rested.

Jason Behrendorff has done everything this year to get noticed by the selectors and his chances seem bright for the Ashes.

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