A big year for Jason Behrendorff got a little bit bigger tonight with the 24 year old being named Domestic Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony.
The award voted on by his peers recognises his efforts across the Sheffield shield, Matador Cup and Big Bash Competitions.
Unable to attend the night due to the big bash final tomorrow in Canberra, Behrendorff was presented with the award by Coach Justin Langer.
“Special thanks to Justin and all the staff at the WACA, especially the medical, physio and the strength and conditioning staff, they’ve worked really hard on me” Behrendorff told cricket.com.au.
One of the most talked about players over the summer, Behrendorff won with 22% of the player’s votes ahead of team mate Adam Voges 16%, James Hopes 15% and Usman Khawaja 14%
A slight change to his technique allowed Behrendorff to increase his pace and swing and he was quick to pay tribute to WA bowling Coach Adam Griffiths and head coach of at the Australian Cricket of Excellence Troy Colley.
“To Adam Griffiths and Troy Cooley who have both worked tirelessly on my bowling, it’s been a big thing for me over the past 12 months to get strong and get my action right.”
The tall left armer’s ability to contribute across all three formats was a major reason he took out the award.
He finished the 2013/14 shield season as the second leading wicket taker with 40 scalps at an average of 22.75 including two five wicket hauls.
That was backed with 11 wickets in the domestic one day competition including five in a successful final against NSW.
His superb 12 months continued in the Big Bash where after the regular season he was equal leading wicket taker with 11 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of just 6 runs an over.
Although narrowly missing out on a World Cup spot there has been strong indications he isn’t far away for national honours.
He was the leading wicket taker for the Prime Minister XI match with England earlier this month where he claimed 4 wickets in his home town of Canberra.