The dormant volcano that is James Pattinson has erupted, and his case for selection in this year’s Ashes is becoming more compelling by the day.
After countless injury setbacks, the tearaway quick’s return to the Sheffield Shield in recent weeks has again underlined his distinct threat with the Dukes ball. With ten wickets in two matches at 12.3, Pattinson has shone in the post-BBL rounds.
It continues a close affinity with the English-made ball, following a famous period with Nottinghamshire in 2017. There, he took 32 wickets in five matches and was all but assured Australian selection for the Bangladesh tour that followed. But in an all-too familiar sequence, he picked up a back injury that kept him out for 15 months.
The setback further frustrated a public that had already prefixed him as ‘injury prone quick’ James Pattinson, and raised questions whether we’d ever see him in action for Australia again.
Returning, again, late last year in the Sheffield Shield, he bowled strongly albeit without the rewards of recent weeks. But a side strain, cuing a collective sigh among cricket fans, ruled him out of the Big Bash in January, just five games in.
His return in the last month is a considerable Ashes boost for Australia. Pattinson is the only quick in Australia capable of consistently moving the ball away at speeds exceeding 145km/h.
James Pattinson bowls for Australia. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
There’s a rhythm and ferocity with which he bowls that triggers normally-assured batsmen onto the back foot, a skill he combines with an enviable habit of drawing the outside edge. Eight of his ten victims since returning have been top five batsmen, further underlining his impact.
While Pattinson’s pace and swing with the Dukes is his most dangerous weapons, an equally-important asset is his control. Australia’s three paceman during the 2015 Ashes series (Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Johnson) leaked runs, and were more expensive than all of England’s quicks.
This stymied the tourists’ ability to build pressure in the field, something the home side conversely exploited. While Pattinson isn’t an economical bowler per se, his experience in controlling the ball when it’s hooping is a valued commodity.
It would be remiss not to dissect Pattinson’s proneness for injury, which makes him a selection risk.
Also, given he hasn’t played a Test since 2016, question inevitably arise about his potential impact from the outset. But his lead-in to the Ashes answers both these questions.
Pattinson will have another stint at Notts in the first half of the County Championship before almost definitely being picked for the Australia A UK tour.
This gives him the majority of the UK season to prepare for the first Test on August 1. Further, on a workload front, the early season stint at Notts on greener decks will mean he won’t be bowling 40+ overs across two innings like in an oppressive Australian summer, exposing himself to stress-related injuries.
On the ensuing ‘A’ tour his bowling would be managed carefully.
Like an Ernie Ells swing, Pattinson steaming in at full pace is sporting poetry. A return to full fitness is exciting for Australian cricket.
In his 17 Tests to date we’ve seen devastating spells of note against the West Indies, India and New Zealand on debut. Interestingly, Pattinson debuted alongside Mitchell Starc (and David Warner) against the Black Caps in 2011.
Column inches were filled, at the time, with debate about which of the pair could lead Australia’s line for the next decade.
While Starc has clearly taken that mantle, Pattinson remains, for the many, the more dangerous quick at full fitness. And his numbers tell the tale. With 70 wickets at 26.2, the Victorian’s Test average shades Starc’s (211 wickets at 28.2).
Today, he turns out for Victoria in the Shield Final against a NSW side he took 5-for against just 14 days ago.
Another strong performance with the ball will make his case for selection even more compelling. Here’s hoping he’s blessed with an extended period of good health.
David
Guest
But he's such a loudmouth bogan. He has the tribal tattoo to prove it. We'll already have one bogan back in the side by Ashes time. Warner will be back.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Agree with everything, although not sure I’d personally call his motion poetic. He looks the best of the Victorians from what I’ve seen of the Shield final, even though Siddle got the best figures by cleaning up the tail. Got some nasty off-cutters odd the seam as well as the customary swing, Injuries may seem a risk but if he’s managing at Notts, etc, that should be reassurance. The main challenger is J Richardson, but I think Patterson might be more dangerous.
David Schout
Expert
He's re-signed with Notts https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/47643310
Ivor Biggin
Roar Rookie
How are we going to fit all these pace bowlers in a squad of 16? Sorry, but I see Pattinson as too much of a risk injury wise and the fact that he hasn't played a huge amount of cricket. For mine, I think the unfashionable Trent Copeland is a must...very steady, conditions should suit him and has taken a truckload of wickets this season.
Patrick
Guest
Why aren't we talking about Jackson Bird?
Neel
Roar Guru
A lot of people rated Pattinson over Starc at one stage. Unfortunately for Pattinson, he had too many injury issues to deal with and he hasn’t been able to forge a solid career. I honestly love to watch James Pattinson bowl. He is a quality bowler and hopefully for Australia’s sake he can stay fit. It would be a dream to see him and Cummins bowling pace at different ends.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
All those players are 140 plus type bowlers though James. Maybe Tremain a touch under. I really think we need 2 bowlers in the squad that can just put the ball on the spot 5 out of 6 an over. No doubt we will have at the very least 2 matches that are overcast for the majority with grass left on the pitch. Siddle will be deadly in these type of conditions. He would be one of my first bowlers picked, even though I could only see him playing 2 to 3 tests. I’d like to see one other as well. Either Neser Behrendorf or Copeland. Worral is a Smokey. Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood and Pattinson are all hit the back of a length type bowlers and I hope we don’t get fooled like the previous 2 tours by playing 3 in the same team. It looks fantastic on paper but we can’t be fooled again. Richardson could be a really good prospect with his fuller swinging length, but he’s in some serious doubt. I really do think Behrendorf is taylor made for England. Bowls the fuller length and swings the ball viciously late with unerring accuracy. If we were taking 6 and discounting Richardson id go Starc, Hazelwood Cummins, Siddle, Behrendorf and Neser with Pattinson hopefully still playing county cricket on standby
Adsa
Roar Rookie
U called it, now Hazelwood has lost his accuracy he looks ordinary.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I must have missed that. Do you know which county he's with David?
U
Roar Rookie
Looking around the various shield teams, there’s a number of bowlers that might work in English conditions but get overlooked because they aren’t flashy or bowl fast enough. QLD have Neser and Feldman, NSW have Copeland, VIC has Boland and Tremain, Tasmania has Bird, SA has Mennie, Worrall, and Sayers, and WA has the Dorff. Those guys have to be over there for county cricket and/or the A tour
U
Roar Rookie
Hazlewood has lost his accuracy and tries to bowl to fast and Starc is all over the place
The Bush
Roar Guru
I meant that comment more around whether he would continue to persist with FC cricket if he keeps breaking down. I've found that a lot of fast bowlers who's bodies, for whatever reason, aren't up to the riggers of FC cricket, tend to retire from the format somewhere between 28 and 30.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I don't know about a "must". But if he comes through the Shield final, County stint and Australia A tour unscathed and with really good results, he's definitely a very good chance of being in the squad.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Pattinson would get back into the Australian team faster and with more security if he engages a good batting coach and knocked up a FC average in the high thirties. Then he could hold down an all-rounder role at #6 and give his body more years by being a successful change bowler rather than a spearhead. He's good enough.
Linphoma
Guest
No humour, just take the pressure off the kid. Half a Shield season does not maketh the Test player just yet.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah fast bowlers can be at their best till about 33. If we get 3-4 great years out of him we'll all be happy.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He's definitely right in the mix if still fit. I just meant that it's an early crow because he's only been back for a couple of games! Long way to go to give selectors the comfort that he's up to test match cricket.
The Bush
Roar Guru
All those players should be over there initially - we're doing a full Aus A tour with two or three FC matches and than an Aus v Aus A - gonna need at least 22 players to play that game.
The Bush
Roar Guru
The problem is his age. It's all well and good to say that Cummins came good, but he has come good well before the age of 28. MJ is another that is often discussed as having huge injury issues, but he had them sorted out by 2007-08 when he really became full time and he was about 26-27 by that point. At 28 Pattinson is running out of time to get his body right. You feel like one more major back issue and we'll unfortunately never get to see him for Australia in any real capacity.
Mook
Guest
Patto is an exciting prospect. Further to your comments above, I believe Cummins will demonstrate control and swing with the Duke. He's a class above Hazelwood and Starc. Don't write off Siddle in the right conditions. And maybe Jai Richardson depending on how his shoulder injury comes along (doubtful). That kid is very, very good. It looks like our batting might just be turning the corner.. England are vulnerable. I think Aussies will be at home in England after the World Cup, and ready to take it up to England. If we get the quicks right. I'm for dropping Starc at the moment - he's a liability, and needs to get back to form to force his way back in. Hazelwood has been 75% too