Jason Behrendorff has returned to the nets as his recovery from back surgery gains momentum.
It was the star left-arm paceman’s first time trying a delivery in the nets since he had surgery in October, marking another major milestone in his return to the field.
Behrendorff posted a video to Instagram last week of the moment as the 29-year-old continues his steady progress.
“It came out all very slowly and I’m obviously just starting again, but it’s very nice to be feeling somewhat like a cricketer again,” Behrendorff told circket.com.au.
“The reason we went halfway down the wicket was instead of trying to get the ball all the way down off just two steps β you have to put a lot of extra energy and force to get it that far down the wicket β as opposed to not really worrying, just going halfway down, getting used to the movement and wherever it ends up is OK.
“After all the running and stuff in the gym, the last little piece of the puzzle was getting back to bowling and letting my body know it’s OK to start to move this way again.
“It’ll be a gradual process over the next few weeks and months to get back up to full speed.”
Behrendorff remains hopeful he will make his on-field return during the winter overseas and would love to play a part for Australia at the T20 World cup in October.
“The next major thing for me will be getting back up to bowling speed and being able to do all the cricket skills of fielding, throwing and so on,” Behrendorff said.
“To this point it’s basically been the rehab side of it, getting moving, starting running, moving in the gym and ensuring my body is functional and can move in the way I need it to.
“Now the handbrake can come off. It’ll be more of a cricket focus now and that’s got me really excited to start.”