Injured Behrendorff ruled out of IPL

Australia T20 paceman Jason Behrendorff will miss the upcoming Indian Premier League after being ruled out of the lucrative tournament through injury.

One of the standout bowlers in recent editions of the KFC Big Bash League, Behrendorff was picked up by Mumbai Indians for A$291,000 in January's IPL auction despite still recovering from a serious back injury. 

But the IPL announced Monday that Mumbai had replaced the Western Australian with another left-arm quick in New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan.

Behrendorff had been targeting a maiden IPL stint to make his return to cricket after suffering a flare-up of his back injury and being ruled out of the Perth Scorchers' BBL campaign in December.

It was a frustrating season for the 27-year-old, who played just two JLT Sheffield Shield games and a domestic one-day match for the entire summer, with injury curtailing his hopes of capitalising on a successful start to his international career in October.

In just his second match in national colours, Behrendorff claimed four wickets in 12 balls including Virat Kohli and finished with 4-21 in the second T20 International on Australia's limited-overs tour of India.

Behrendorff has long been touted a potential Test bowler, enhancing his claims in February last year when he snared 9-37 – the fifth-best figures in Sheffield Shield history – against Victoria at the WACA Ground.

But a litany of back injuries has stopped him from further pushing his case.

His back problems stem from a serious fracture he suffered in 2015, and has been told that the crack will never fully heal, leaving him prone to painful flare-ups due to scar tissue in the area.

Despite the painful setbacks, Behrendorff insisted in December that he hadn't given up hope of one day pulling on the Baggy Green.

"I don't think plans change really. It's the nature of the beast," he said.

"Ideally I'll get my back in a position where I'm ready to go in four-day cricket again.

"Whether it's this year, next year, whenever it is. I'll still be wanting to get that red ball or pink ball back in my hand."

McClenaghan returns to Mumbai for a fourth successive campaign with the Indians, having helped them to the IPL title in 2015.