Behrendorff hungry after T20 debut

Western Australia quick Jason Behrendorff says his first taste of international cricket has only made him hungry for more, with the paceman stating his ambition is to be fit to play if further opportunities arise this summer.

The left-armer made his long-awaited international debut in Australia’s recent T20I series in India, playing both completed matches and capturing a stunning 4-21 in the second match in Guwahati, taking the wickets of India’s top-four batsmen in the space of 12 deliveries.

The 27-year-old’s elevation to the international scene was a long time coming after a string of injuries, but with Behrendorff currently enjoying an extended spell of full fitness he appears primed for the summer ahead.

Provided Australia’s pace battery suffers no further injuries between now and the Magellan Ashes – Victorian quick James Pattinson has already been ruled out for the summer after the recurrence of stress fractures in his back – the hosts will field a pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in the first Test against England at the Gabba.

But should further injuries strike, Behrendorff is ready to put his hand up.

"Those three, if they're all fit and firing like we expect them to be, they'll be the first picked and rightly so," Behrendorff told Fairfax.

"For me, having that goal of playing international cricket again means that I'll be ready and waiting in the wings.

"(The goal is) to be playing international cricket whenever I get that call, to be ready to go.

"That's something that I'm working towards – making sure I'm fully ready to go if that opportunity presents itself."

Behrendorff will have a chance to push his credentials with the red (and pink) ball during the three Sheffield Shield rounds to be played before the start of the Ashes.

The fast bowler doesn’t have long to dwell on his first experience at international level, with the paceman likely to feature in Western Australia’s JLT One-Day Cup finals campaign later this week.

But it’s a feeling he won’t forget anytime soon.

"It was an unbelievable experience," he said.

"I want to play as much international cricket as I possibly can.

"It's such a buzz and such a thrill, it's something I'll continue to aspire to play as much as I possibly can.

"I've always had that belief that I'm good enough, but then to perform and really cement that on the big stage (was great)."

Western Australia sit on top of the JLT Cup table on 17 points, leading second-placed South Australia on net run rate.

A win over the Cricket Australia XI today (Tuesday) will ensure they advance directly to Saturday’s final at Blundstone Arena, where their line-up could be bolstered by the returns of Australia T20 squad members Behrendorff, Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Fellow T20 player Andrew Tye made his return on Tuesday against the CA XI.