The Australian selectors have wasted no time recognising Jason Behrendorff’s return to competitive cricket, with the left armer selected in both the Prime Ministers XI and Cricket Australia XI to face New Zealand this weekend.
It’s a real show of faith for the 25-year-old who has only just returned from an nine month layoff due to a stress fracture in his back.
The reigning Domestic Player of the Year has played four Matador Cup games this season, taking 1/19 off seven overs against Victoria last week.
Before his injury back in late January, the Western Warrior and Perth Scorcher was touted as one of the hottest properties in Australian cricket.
His ability to excel in all three formats of the game with late swing and bounce, had him tipped as a bolter for the World Cup squad by former greats Brett Lee and Ricky Ponting.
The PM XI open up proceedings with a One Day match on Friday before the CA XI take over for a two day red-ball match on Saturday and Sunday.
Friday’s match will be the third time Behrendorff has taken part in annual PM XI fixture.
He first played as a young raw 18-year-old in 2009 before taking four wickets against England in January this year.
Both games will be played at Behrendorff’s former home ground of Manakua Oval and will be crucial to the Kiwi’s build up to the first test at the Gabba on November 5.
Teams:
Prime Minister’s XI: Michael Hussey (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, David Hussey, Ryan Carters (wk), Ashton Agar, Peter Siddle, Jason Behrendorff, Mark Steketee, Ben Taylor (12th).
Cricket Australia XI: Usman Khawaja (c), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Sam Whiteman (wk), Ashton Agar, Peter Siddle, Jason Behrendorff, Billy Stanlake, Ben Taylor (12th).