Recurring back issue urges Jason Behrendorff to consider same surgery as James Pattinson

Recurring back issue urges Jason Behrendorff to consider same surgery as James Pattinson

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After recurring back issues caused a lot of trouble in James Pattinson's otherwise bright career, it's hit Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff as its next victim. After being ruled out of action indefinitely due to ongoing back issues, Behrendorff too might have to undergo a lower spine surgery.

29-year-old left-arm quick Behrendorff had to travel back to Australia, cutting short his stint with Sussex county club in the T20 Blast being held in England in late August, due to some back issues. After getting the scans done it was confirmed it was connected to the recurring stress fractures he has suffered in the past. In order to manage the back problems that have been troubling him through the past couple of years, the fast bowler stepped away from first-class cricket completely to play limited-overs only.

Following his latest back soreness, the Western Australian, who represented Australia in the 2019 World Cup, will miss out on participating in the Marsh One-Day Cup and will only consider return ahead of this year's BBL. Meanwhile, the Western Australia and Cricket Australia medical staff are considering all options, which includes exploring surgery just like Pattinson's in 2017. Behrendorff will be speaking to his peer Pattinson and former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond about the spine surgery both fast bowlers had to fix similar issues.

In fact, if surgery becomes necessary then Behrendorff could head to New Zealand soon to consult with Christchurch-based surgeon Grahame Inglis, who treated both Bond and Pattinson, in order to prolong his career in all formats. However, the recovery time for such surgery would be between nine and 12 months and with the next T20 World Cup in Australia coming up in October 2020, it might pose a risk to the bowler's career.

Behrendorff, who has an excellent first-class record for Western Australia having taken 126 wickets at an average of 23.85, has not played a first-class game since November 2017 owing to his injury concerns.

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