The left-arm pacer\u2019s recent journey in 2024 has been nothing short of eventful. In March, just days before he was to board a flight to India for the IPL, a freak injury at the WACA nets shattered his fibula. The injury couldn\u2019t have come at a worse time, especially as Behrendorff was in prime form and being touted as a contender for Australia\u2019s T20 World Cup squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But for Behrendorff, success isn't measured by the Baggy Green, but by the impact he's made in the game. \"I\u2019ve played two formats for Australia, I\u2019ve played professionally for the best part of 15 years. Everyone\u2019s view of success is different,\" he told cricket.com.au.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The injury not only sidelined him from the IPL, where he had signed a lucrative Rs 75 lakh contract with the Mumbai Indians, but also dashed his hopes of representing Australia in the World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"It was probably the most angry and the most frustrated I\u2019ve been after an injury, because it was so freakish. \"It literally hit me flush and snapped my fibula,\" Behrendorff said, reflecting on the incident.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a crushing blow for the reigning Australian T20I cricketer of the year, who had hoped to use the IPL as a platform to prove his worth for the national squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The feedback leading into the IPL was basically all the main bowlers in contention for that World Cup squad were playing in the IPL,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But in true Behrendorff fashion, the pacer decided to take control of his future. He opted out of the final year of his state contract with Western Australia, informing high-performance boss Kade Harvey and coach Adam Voges of his decision to pursue freelance opportunities in global T20 leagues. Overnight, he went from representing Australia, WA, and Mumbai Indians to being an uncontracted freelancer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"So that was a great chance to play well, put yourself in with a chance, and for me it was a case of, 'Well, I've got nothing to lose. I know I'm not one of the top three to be included in the squad. There was myself and realistically you're looking at Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson \u2013 it was probably the four of us competing for the one or potentially two spots left.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I was hopeful that I was going to get a chance and playing well in the IPL was a definitely a ticket to do that.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the uncertainty, Behrendorff's return to cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. His first assignment, in Sri Lanka's Lanka Premier League, saw him lift the trophy with Jaffna Kings. Just days later, he was helping the Toronto Nationals win the Global T20 Canada title, earning player-of-the-match honours with a remarkable 3-8 figures in the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I\u2019ve started my freelance campaign two wins from two tournaments,\" Behrendorff quipped. \"If you want to win, pick me up!\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The pinnacle of what young kids dream about is wanting to wear the Baggy Green,\" Behrendorff acknowledged. \"But just because I haven\u2019t played Test cricket, does that mean I haven\u2019t had a successful career? I certainly don\u2019t think so.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Behrendorff\u2019s red-ball career, which saw him take 126 first-class wickets at an impressive average of 23.85 but his T20 journey is far from over. As T20 leagues continue to offer lucrative opportunities, Behrendorff believes more players will follow in his footsteps, choosing to forgo state contracts in favour of the global T20 circuit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The pinnacle of what young kids dream about is wanting to wear the Baggy Green,\" Behrendorff acknowledged. \"But just because I haven\u2019t played Test cricket, does that mean I haven\u2019t had a successful career? I certainly don\u2019t think so.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> ICC Women's T20 WC Schedule<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n