Test great Justin Langer doesn't want to see Jason Behrendorff give up on long-form cricket just yet, despite the paceman's latest injury setback.
Behrendorff will be wrapped in cotton wool until the T20 Big Bash after his back pulled up sore during WA's Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland at the WACA Ground.
The 27-year-old bowled 20 overs of day two of the match, but couldn't bowl thereafter.
Behrendorff is still troubled by pain caused from a serious stress fracture he suffered in 2015.
The left-arm paceman has been told the fracture will never fully heal, meaning he is prone to painful flare-ups associated with the scar tissue.
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Behrendorff dreams of playing Test cricket one day, and his 9-37 against Victoria last summer showcased his immense talent and potential.
But some Cricket Australia officials feel Behrendorff will be better off concentrating on one-day cricket rather than risking further injuries with his back.
Fellow WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile is also in a similar boat after suffering a flare-up of his own back injury.
But Langer doesn't want to see Behrendorff throw in the towel just yet.
"There's all this talk about T20 cricket. All our guys want to play red ball cricket. They love it. And he loves playing," Langer said.
"He's done well in white ball cricket, but he wants to play red ball cricket.
"Now like Coults, we've got to work out over time whether that's going to be possible.
"We're all very hopeful. I think it's the easy option to just say, 'I'm going to go to white ball cricket'."
Behrendorff has already been ruled out of WA's upcoming Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG, starting on Sunday.
Although Behrendorff's fitness remains an ongoing concern for WA, the team received some good news on Monday when skipper Mitch Marsh made a successful, and surprise, return to competitive bowling.
Marsh underwent a shoulder reconstruction in March, and wasn't meant to bowl until the upcoming match against Victoria.
But when Behrendorff couldn't bowl in Queensland's second innings, Marsh stepped up to fill the void.
Marsh finished with figures of 2-49 off nine overs, playing a crucial role in preventing Queensland from snaring victory.
The Bulls finished at 7-290 chasing 297 for victory.
"I was surprised actually. He wasn't supposed to bowl this game," Langer said.
"I love the fact as the captain of WA he said, 'You know what, bugger it. Maybe I'm meant to wait a few weeks, but (I'll bowl now)'.And it was significant what he did with the ball."
