The Melbourne Renegades will be forced to reshape their bowling attack ahead of BBL|16, with experienced fast bowler Jason Behrendorff ruled out for the entire season following shoulder surgery.
The club confirmed on Thursday that Behrendorff would miss the upcoming campaign as he focuses on his recovery, although the 36-year-old will remain involved with the squad throughout the season.
His absence leaves another hole in the Renegades' bowling attack, which has already undergone significant change since BBL|15.
Behrendorff joined Melbourne ahead of last season after more than a decade with the Perth Scorchers, arriving as one of the competition's most experienced and successful fast bowlers.
The four-time BBL champion made his Scorchers debut in 2012 and went on to become the club's second-highest wicket-taker behind Andrew Tye.
His 140 wickets also place him fifth on the competition's all-time wicket-taking list, and he was the BBL's leading wicket-taker in his final season with Perth before moving to Melbourne.
While his first season in red produced just five wickets, his loss goes beyond those numbers.
The left-armer provides a point of difference with the new ball and brings plenty of Big Bash experience to the attack.
His absence comes amid considerable turnover in Melbourne's bowling stocks.
Last season's leading wicket-taker Gurinder Sandhu, who claimed 18 wickets, is currently uncontracted. At the same time, Adam Zampa has departed for the Hobart Hurricanes, Tye has retired, and Fergus O'Neill has joined the Sydney Sixers.
It leaves captain Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Brendan Doggett and Sam Elliott among the pace options currently contracted for BBL|16. At the same time, the club has also strengthened its spin stocks with Michael Archer, Callum Stow, Michael Bracewell and Ben Manenti joining.
The Renegades have confirmed they will seek to add a replacement player as additional cover for Behrendorff before the season begins, making their next move an important one as they look to rebuild an attack that has lost considerable experience.
“It's disappointing to miss a BBL season, but I've got a clear plan with the medical team, and my focus is on getting my shoulder right so I can return to full fitness,” Behrendorff said.
“I'm looking forward to supporting the team and staying involved throughout the season, being able to work closely with the bowlers and coaching staff.”
While no stranger to injury setbacks, having missed BBL|06 with a stress fracture and BBL|09 following spinal surgery, Behrendorff had been one of the competition's more durable players in recent seasons.
His involvement this summer will instead extend beyond the playing group, with the veteran quick set to explore a different side of the game while sidelined.
“It also provides an opportunity to work with the Renegade media team and broadcasters to share a different view of the game for our fans," he said.
For the Renegades, however, the immediate question is who takes his place.
After finishing seventh in BBL|15, Melbourne has already made significant changes ahead of the new season, including the additions of Jonny Bairstow, Michael Bracewell and Ben Manenti.
But with Behrendorff now joining the list of experienced bowlers missing from last season's attack, finding the right replacement could prove just as important before BBL|16 gets underway.
Behrendorff remains contracted for BBL|17, with the Renegades hopeful his latest setback will only delay, rather than derail, the next chapter of his time in red.
