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While desperate to play when Australia takes on world Test cricket No.1 South Africa in February, fast bowler James Pattinson says he’s learned to take a more mature approach to his injury comeback.
After five months out with back stress fractures, Pattinson took a big step along the path to resuming his Test career with selection in Australia’s squad to face England in the five-match one-day international series in January.
He said that time away from the game, watching Australia’s lethal pace attack spearheaded by 32-year-old Mitchell Johnson and 34-year-old Ryan Harris end England’s Ashes reign, taught him that time was on his side.
“I’ve changed the way I’ve thought about things; being young you want everything to happen now and to miss out on the Ashes at home it’s the end of the world,” the 23-year-old said.
“You look to guys like Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson who are at the peak of their game and I’m still 10 years away from them.
“Hopefully I’ve got a long future in the game.”
Pattinson made his return to action on Monday night in the Melbourne Renegades’ Twenty20 Big Bash League win over the Brisbane Heat.
He finished with 3-36 off his four overs after what he described as a nervous start.
Pattinson said he was surprised to get the call-up to the national one-day side after such a short audition.
“It’s great for me to know they’re showing faith in me and hopefully I can get a game and repay the faith.”
Despite the limited preparation, with no Sheffield Shield games scheduled before the squad departs for South Africa, where the first of three Tests starts on February 12, Pattinson felt he would be ready if he got the chance on that tour.
“There’s still a month and it’s good to build up through the Twenty20s and hopefully the one-days but the last thing I want is to go over there and be underdone.
“I think I’ve taken my time now and I’ll play until then and see how I go.”
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