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Pattinson oversteps the mark at MCG

28th December, 2015
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Australia are set up for a comfortable win in the Boxing Day Test and James Pattinson will have played a big part in it, but the Victorian quick was left red-faced on Monday when he committed the cardinal sin of bowling – twice.

Pattinson finished with 4-72 at the end of West Indies’ first innings but he bowled Carlos Brathwaite on 13 off a no-ball, then had him caught at fine leg on 50 off another no-ball.

“I’ve always been pushing the line, ever since I’ve been playing cricket,” Pattinson said.

“It’s momentum and stepping over the line, it’s obviously something I have to work on because it cost us a bit of time today and a few runs. I have to work on it and try to improve that.

“I think not many other bowlers have a problem with it so it’s something I have to fix up.”

A wry cheer went up around the MCG when the replay on the big screen showed he had kept his front foot where it should be after he trapped Kemar Roach lbw after his second indiscretion.

Pattinson could at least see the lighter sight of the issue, admitting it ranked alongside dropping a catch as one of the worst feelings a cricketer can experience on the field.

“It’s up there, definitely,” he said with a smile.

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“And when you do it twice it’s up there.”

Brathwaite went on to score 59 in a 90-run partnership with Darren Bravo before he was brilliantly caught and bowled by Nathan Lyon in the last over before lunch.

Bravo scored 81 and was the last wicket to fall, caught at gully off the bowling of Pattinson, who was impressive in his second Test back from a long injury break.

“I was pretty happy, (but) I still feel like I’m not 100 per cent yet,” he said.

“I’ve just got to try to get a stage where I’m running in full steam and not worrying about overstepping, but apart from that I’m pretty happy with the way the ball is coming out.

“I feel like I’m getting better and better each time I bowl. If that’s the worst it’s going to get, bowling a couple of no-balls, I’ll take that.”

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