Jason Behrendorff ruled out of 2019-20 season

Behrendorff will undergo spinal surgery in New Zealand to recover from recurring back injury. © Getty

Jason Behrendorff will undergo spinal surgery and has ruled himself out of the 2019-20 season, it was confirmed on Tuesday (October 8). The Australia pacer will fly to New Zealand next week to get the same surgery done that revived James Pattinson's career.

"Unfortunately I've had the same injury over the last few years and we've tried a number of things and the injury continues to return," Behrendorff said after consultation with Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket Australia medical staff. "After a lot of thought and discussion we've decided that surgery is the best opportunity to find a more permanent fix.

"I'm feeling good about the surgery, I've spoken to a number of Aussie and Kiwi bowlers who've had a similar surgery and they were all very positive about the results. This particular procedure has had good success rates in other professional pace bowlers with similar reoccurring issues."

Last month Behrendorff had to miss the T20 Blast quarterfinal because of the back injury and was recalled by Western Australia. Behrendorff revealed he spoke to Pattinson at length about the surgery and hopes to return to red-ball cricket, a format he hasn't played since 2017, at some stage. "(Red-ball cricket is) probably the furthest thing from my mind at the moment," Behrendorff told cricket.com.au. "I hope it's not done, though, especially if I go down the path of surgery.

"We've seen how Patto has come back and played in the recent Ashes series, so maybe it'll give me a chance to do that.

"I've spoken to Patto and I've also spoken to Ben Dwarshuis, who's had a similar surgery done, and also Shane Bond. They've all been very complimentary with what they've had done and the way it's helped them continue to play cricket. Unfortunately, I've had the same (injury) over the last few years and if that (surgery) is going to be an opportunity to have more of a permanent fix, I'm definitely going to look into it."

Behrendorff has played 11 ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia with 23 wickets in the bag. He registered his best figures in ODI cricket in the 2019 World Cup league game against England at Lord's by picking up 5 for 44. Apart from Pattinson and Bond, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry too had the same surgery in 2012 to prolong his career.