Behrendorff, Sayers out for season

Fast bowlers Jason Behrendorff and Chadd Sayers have both been ruled out of the remainder of the Sheffield Shield season due to injuries. Behrendorff has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the right side of his lower back, while Sayers is set to have surgery after missing the BBL due to inflammation of his left ankle.

The two men are among the most effective fast bowlers on the Australian domestic scene and Behrendorff in particular might have been pushing for a place in Australia's touring squad for the upcoming Test series in the West Indies and England. He has collected 14 Shield wickets at 26.71 for Western Australia this summer, and was second on the BBL tally with 15 victims.

He also collected four wickets in the Prime Minister's XI one-day game against England last month, following a productive Matador Cup season in which he helped Western Australia to the title with a five-wicket haul in the final. Scans taken after the BBL showed the extent of the injury and Western Australia will take a conservative approach with Behrendorff, 24.

Sayers, 27, has been South Australia's leading first-class wicket taker over the past three years and although his lack of pace would likely go against him at the national selection table, his ability to swing the ball might have made him a dark horse for the Ashes tour. Sayers is expected to be out for eight weeks following his ankle surgery.