Jason Behrendorff races to recover from broken leg for ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Australia's fast bowler, Jason Behrendorff, faces a tight race against time as he strives to regain fitness for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup following a training mishap resulting in a broken leg.

The unfortunate incident occurred during Behrendorff's preparations for the Indian Premier League with the Mumbai Indians. As a consequence of the fractured left fibula, he has been sidelined for approximately eight weeks, ruling him out of the IPL.

With the T20 World Cup looming, Behrendorff now confronts a pressing challenge to prove his readiness for the prestigious tournament. Australia must finalize their squad of 15 players before the event commences.

Despite his relatively modest tally of 17 T20 International appearances, Behrendorff has left a mark with his performances, particularly in recent months. Notably, he showcased his prowess during the series against India in the sub-continent and against the West Indies at home.

During the five-match series against India at the end of the previous year, the 33-year-old emerged as Australia's leading wicket-taker. His consistency continued against the West Indies, where he contributed with a wicket in each match.

While the trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins are anticipated to lead Australia's pace battery at the T20 World Cup, Behrendorff's recent form had put him in contention for a spot in the squad before this setback.

T20 World Cup set to commence on June 1:

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup marks the ninth edition of the tournament, hosted jointly by the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29. Notably, this tournament introduces matches in the United States for the first time in ICC World Cup history. England, the reigning champions, will defend their title against a record 20 teams, expanded from 16 in the previous edition. 

Also Read: Western Australia secure opening Test in blockbuster series against India

The qualification process includes the top eight teams from the last tournament, the next two teams in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, and eight teams determined through regional qualifications. Newcomers, from Canada and Uganda will participate, alongside the United States, making their debut as co-hosts. With 55 matches, this event will be the largest cricket tournament organized by the ICC to date.