Recalled Australian fast bowler James Pattinson expects to miss out on selection for the first Test against Pakistan in favour of an all-NSW attack.
Pattinson celebrated his return to the Test squad with two wickets on Thursday on day three of the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the MCG.
Stubborn Queensland resistance after tea guaranteed the match would grind into Friday’s final day.
It is up to Pattinson (2-56) and the rest of the Victorian attack to end the resistance, with Queensland 7-270 for an overall lead of 153.
Pattinson took his two wickets in the middle session, only a few minutes before the Test squad was announced.
While his four wickets for the game are not spectacular, Pattinson has bowled 40 solid overs.
But after being told of his recall on Wednesday night, Pattinson is realistic about his prospects of making the final XI in Brisbane.
“It will be pretty tough to get a gig in that team, but it’s just great to be in the squad,” he said.
He expects Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood to share the fast bowling duties alongside off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
“Those three are probably going to get the first look in,” he said of the NSW pacemen.
Pattinson’s injury woes mean he has not played a home Test in nearly four years and he is confident the drought will end soon.
“It would be great, there’s nothing like playing in a home summer – if I stay on the park and stay fit, I’m sure that chance will come at some stage,” he said.
Victoria were an outside chance to wrap up the match in three days when Queensland wobbled to 5-163 at tea.
But Mark Steketee has belted an unbeaten 45 from 52 balls, with seven fours, and captain Jimmy Peirson is 30 not out, the pair so far adding 64 valuable runs.
While Victoria are defending Shield champions, they are yet to win this season.
Queensland coach Wade Seccombe said the match is far from over.
“That’s what you expect from a captain, so I hope he can continue and keep leading the group that way,” he said of Peirson.
“Stek went out there and played his shots and it was a really good counter-punch.
“That’s what you need in that situation, the ability to actually say ‘hey, we still want to score runs’.
Earlier, nightwatchman Cameron Gannon scored 45, his highest first-class score.
Gannon mistakenly walked out onto the ground on Wednesday night after the first wicket fell, just before stumps were called, meaning he had to bat on Thursday morning.
Victorian paceman Peter Siddle has the leading figures of 3-42 from 21 overs.
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