James Pattinson's shattered Ashes hopes have boosted injury-prone quick Jason Behrendorff's Test hopes on the eve of his international debut.
Pattinson has again aggravated a stress fracture in his back, forcing him to take an indefinite break from bowling, as medical staff desperately search for a way to manage the recurring issue.
While Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are all on track to play the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, Australia's second-tier fast bowlers have moved up the pecking order.
Nathan Coulter-Nile was the leading wicket-taker in the one-day international series loss to India. And, Behrendorff is likely to make his long-awaited Australian debut in Saturday's first T20 international against India in Ranchi.
Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers are the other pacemen who will be under consideration in the event of injury or a rest for Starc, Hazlewood or Cummins.
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But despite the apparent promotion, Behrendorff doesn't want to think about a possible baggy green.
"It's very unfortunate for James and he's been working so hard to get back," Behrendorff said.
"It's one of those frustrating things as a fast bowler. You're never quite sure when something is around the corner.
"For me personally, I'm 100 per cent focused on these three games here and making my debut."
Behrendorff has endured his own dreadful run with injury and, like Pattinson, stress fractures have hampered his promising career.
He didn't figure in last season's Big Bash League due to a stress fracture in his leg and the second half of his 2014-15 summer was ruined by the same issue in his back.
"I've had an uninterrupted preseason for a change which is my first time in probably quite a long time," Behrendorff said.
"I feel like my season's always started quite slow. That's something that's different this year which is great."
His first Sheffield Shield game back for Western Australia earlier in the year reaped a career-best 14-89 for the match against Victoria, starting with 9-37 in the first innings.
After the T20s, the 27-year-old is hoping for an uninterrupted run in first-class cricket, with all eyes on the first three Shield games leading up to the Ashes.
Behrendorff averages a shade under 23 in that format with 123 wickets in 29 matches.
"It's something I've worked really hard at," he said.
