Victorian express quick James Pattinson is set to be unleashed on New Zealand in the Boxing Day Test, with coach Justin Langer looking forward to watching him bowl at the MCG.
Langer raised eyebrows when he brought veteran quick Peter Siddle into Australia’s 13-man squad this week, but the coach has confirmed Pattinson will get the nod ahead of Michael Neser and Siddle.
“I am really looking forward to seeing Patto bowl and bowl well in this Boxing Day Test, which is his home ground as well,” Langer told 6PR on Saturday.
“James Pattinson was 12th man in the last game and I hope what I have shown in the last 18 months is that we have been really consistent in our selection.
“He’s been unlucky, he only played a couple of Tests in the Ashes and he is so hungry like Mitchell Starc.
“The way he has come back from playing (two) Tests in the Ashes has just been brilliant.”
The Aussies will be looking to wrap up the three-Test series following their emphatic 296-run win in Perth.
But Langer is expecting an arm wrestle from the Kiwis, who traditionally struggle on the bouncier wickets in Perth.
The MCG pitch is an unknown quantity heading into the match, with curator Matt Page under fire following the unsafe surface that saw a recent Sheffield Shield game at the ground abandoned.
But Langer shares the confidence of Cricket Australia pitch guru Les Burdett, who has given Page’s preparations his seal of approval.
“I know they are going to be under some pressure, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“But I also know that Matt Page is an incredibly hard worker.
“They got it wrong in the last Shield game, but they were getting it right for the two Shield games before.
“He’ll have some nervous nights Pagey, but I am confident he will get a good wicket up.”
Jack
Guest
75 wickets at 26.67 at a SR under 49 and a batting average of 26 seems like a pretty good record to me so your vitriol seems at little over the top
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I think pattinson is a good selection in melbourne and will get a few wickets each innings at the very least. Great average in tests at mcg and a good one last 12 months apparently there. Still curious as to whether four quicks could play given the batting capabilitythe four quicks all possess making it a deep batting tail . Depends on pitch but lyon will need it to bounce and has been poor at mcg more recently (last few years)
The Late News
Roar Rookie
He makes awesome banana bread?
AREH
Roar Guru
Two extra bowlers so why even bother with Siddle in the squad?
Simoc
Guest
Well Patto is the absolute weak link. Of course being Victorian they were always going to pick Mr Huff n Puff, when Hazelwood got injured. He will show once again what little class he has as a cricketer at test level. He's good but wouldn't make the NZ, SA or Pommie teams. Langer is the most boring coach ever. I wish he could be interesting. Don't worry Patto, there are always thousands of excuses when you don't cut it at test level.