Behrendorff lands IPL deal on eve of tournament

Western Australia paceman Jason Behrendorff is heading to the subcontinent next week after IPL powerhouse Chennai Super Kings announced the left-armer as Josh Hazlewood's replacement today.

Behrendorff will first play in Sunday's Marsh One-Day Cup final against NSW in Sydney before he is expected to link up with Chennai, his second IPL franchise.

The 30-year-old has endured a torrid run with injury in his career but played 16 matches for BBL|10 runners-up Perth Scorchers this season and travelled to New Zealand with Australia's T20 team in February but didn't play a game.

Behrendorff made his state comeback this week in Perth, taking 3-33 and scoring 35 not out as WA comprehensively beat Tasmania to advance to the Marsh Cup final at Bankstown Oval.

Behrendorff comes in for Hazlewood, who opted out of the 2021 IPL season to remain at home after a grueling summer and recharge ahead of a busy winter in national colours.

"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 told cricket.com.au.

"We've got a big winter ahead too. The West Indies is going to be a long tour, with Bangladesh (T20 tour) potentially thrown on 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. 

"That's the decision I've made, and it sits pretty well with me."

Behrendorff played five games for Mumbai Indians in 2019 in his only other IPL stint.

Chennai open their season against Delhi Capitals on April 10 in Mumbai.