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Fit-again paceman Jason Behrendorff on track for Big Bash League return for Perth Scorchers

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Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
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Jason Behrendorff is closing in on a Big Bash return for the Scorchers.
Camera IconJason Behrendorff is closing in on a Big Bash return for the Scorchers. Credit: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Jason Behrendorff feels as close to 100 per cent as he’s been “in a long time” as he is closes in on a long-awaited return to professional cricket for the Perth Scorchers next month.

More than a year since his radical spinal surgery, the left-arm quick has his sights set on the Scorchers’ Big Bash opener against Melbourne Renegades in Hobart on December 12.

The 30-year-old has been plying his trade for Subiaco-Floreat in WA Premier Cricket for the last five weeks.

Behrendorff is hopeful of playing some red-ball cricket for WA in the back-end of the Sheffield Shield summer, but right now his focus is firmly on the Twenty20 arena.

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He missed the entire 2019-20 season after going under the knife in a bid to prolong his career, similar to what Australian Test speedster James Pattinson had in 2017.

“I’m on track and going well,” Behrendorff said.

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“I’ve been playing some club cricket for Subiaco-Floreat and we start T20s this weekend which will be really exciting so I can’t wait to get back out there again.

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“The back is feeling great, it’s just everything else that’s trying to catch up now.

“I’ve done a lot of work, both on the training track and now starting to play some matches and I feel like I’m in a pretty good space to get back out there and actually play some serious cricket again.

“I certainly feel as close to 100 per cent as I’ve been in a long time so the body feels really good.”

Behrendorff said his time at Subiaco-Floreat has been beneficial and as he gets used to a re-modelled action to help prevent further injuries.

“I haven’t changed my action significantly but I have tinkered with a few things just to try and get myself in a slightly different position so I can hopefully go forward as opposed to a little bit on the side,” he said.

“It’s taken a fair bit of getting used to but that’s where match practice has been so beneficial, because it’s so different to the nets and I’m starting to get that freedom back just feel like I can bowl again.

“I keep building the intensity and my body keeps coping and keeps going really well so that’s been really positive.”

The Scorchers squad will get together for the first time for training on Tuesday after WA’s Shield members finish their 14-day quarantine.

Behrendorff had been spending a lot of time with fellow paceman Jhye Richardson while the majority of their teammates were in Adelaide, with the pair going through rehabilitation together.

Richardson has been playing grade cricket for Fremantle the past few weeks on his way back from shoulder surgery.

“I’ve only seen Richo for the last probably nearly two months, I haven’t seen the rest of my team for a long time,” Behrendorff said.

“It’ll be really nice to see them again, it’s been a long time and we get back together on Tuesday for the first time as a full squad which will be really exciting.”

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