IPL 2021: CSK sign Jason Behrendorff as Josh Hazlewood’s replacement
In 2019, Behrendorff played five games for Mumbai Indians (MI) and picked up as many wickets.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have roped in Australian fast bowler Jason Behrendorff as a replacement of Josh Hazlewood for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm paceman has played 11 ODIs and seven T20Is thus far in his career.
Though the southpaw hasn’t donned the national jersey for nearly two years, he has done well in the Big Bash League (BBL). In the 2020-21 BBL, Behrendorff picked up 16 wickets from as many games at an economy rate of 7.03.
On the back of his spells, Perth Scorchers made the final where they lost to the Sydney Sixers. Behrendorff also has the experience of playing in the IPL, having plied his trade for Mumbai Indians (MI) back in 2019 where he picked up five wickets from as many matches.
Earlier, the CSK management admitted that the team was left a bit in trouble after Hazlewood pulled out of the IPL. It was learned that the Super Kings might not even be looking for a replacement. But eventually, they went in with the 30-year-old Behrendorff.
“It is a sudden development and we were not prepared for it. We will look at various options before arriving at a decision. But we have our bases covered. So if the team management feels we don’t need a replacement, we might not seek one,” a senior CSK official told.
Josh Hazlewood tired of bubbles and quarantines
Previously, Hazlewood stated how the constant quarantines and bio-secure bubbles might lead to his fatigue. “It’s been a long 10 months in bubbles and quarantine at different times, so I decided to have a rest from cricket and spend some time at home and in Australia in the next two months,” Hazlewood said.
“We’ve got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown at the end of that. Then potentially the T20 World Cup leading into the Ashes, so it’s a big 12 months, as it always is with Australia, and I want to give myself the best chance to be mentally and physically ready for that,” he added.
The Super Kings are set to start their campaign on Saturday, April 10 against Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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