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Australian captain Steve Smith has backed James Pattinson to spark a new-look pace attack for the first Test against West Indies at Hobart starting on Thursday.
Victorian firebrand Pattinson has replaced Mitchell Starc (ankle) in a bowling attack led by young paceman Josh Hazlewood, with Nathan Coulter-Nile on Wednesday confirmed as 12th man.
Pattinson has not played a Test since March 2014 due to injury.
“I think he has played enough, he has been bowling really well, he deserves his chance,” Smith said.
“He just needs to go out and do what he does well.
“He is similar to Hazlewood the way he bowls. Hopefully those two can lead the attack well.”
National chairman of selectors Rod Marsh hinted that Hazlewood would be given a break this summer and the Hobart clash appeared the most likely considering the short turnaround between the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests.
But Hazlewood received the nod for the three-Test series opener at Bellerive, relegating WA bolter Coulter-Nile to carrying the drinks.
Smith said the batting order would remain the same despite speculation that keeper Peter Nevill would replace allrounder Mitch Marsh at No.6.
“He’s there to do a job, to score runs for the team,” Smith said of Marsh.
“Hopefully he plays his natural game.”
Australia are overwhelming favourites to thrash a Windies side that has not won an overseas Test series of note in 20 years.
Australian team to play West Indies in Hobart: David Warner, Joe Burns, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson. 12th man: Nathan Coulter-Nile.
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