James Pattinson: “I Can Try and Contribute in All Formats for Australia” 

Australia pace-spearhead James Pattinson has set his sights on playing all three formats for Australia this summer. After having retained the Ashes recently, Australia have been in a great place. Pattinson played two Tests in the Ashes series in England that ended in a draw. However, this was the first time in 18 years that they retained the urn on foreign soil.

However, James Pattinson was not a part of the Australia Test squad for three-and-a-half-years because of a back surgery. After a lot of hard work, he has returned to the squad with the Ashes 2019 series at Edgbaston. He shared his experience of playing for Australia after a long time.

“I was (pinching myself), when I first got picked in the Ashes quad I was pretty happy and when I got the nod for that first Test was special then to go on and win a pretty crucial test at Edgbaston where England haven’t lost for a long while, to contribute to a winning team there was special as well. It’s great just to be on the flight home fit and ready to go into a summer here, I can’t wait to get stuck in with Victoria and hopefully Australia,” he added.

Although it was “disappointing” to be on the sideline for the last two Ashes Test, he said that he is ready to play in the limited-over format for Australia as well. He will now play for Victoria in the upcoming One Day series for the Marsh Cup. However, he is expecting to do good in the series so that he would get a chance in the national side again.

“If I can stay fit, stay strong, put in some good performances for Victoria and hopefully I can get picked in the One-day or Test team,” Pattinson said. “Hopefully I can try and contribute in all formats for Australia. I got to do that by putting my hand up for selection and performing for Victoria first.”

On the other hand, Australia Test captain Tim Paine backed the pacer and said that the home condition suits him well. He even praised his bowling and said that Pattinson has a lot more cricket left in him.

“He is someone who we’ve been really pleased with what he’s done in his return to Test cricket over here. He’s bowling very, very well. He’s going to be a huge asset for us going forward,” he told.

“We said from the start we want to make sure we look after him so he’s got a lot more years in him of Test cricket. We can’t wait to get him back to Australia and unleash him during the summer,” Paine said.

Hopefully, this summer will give James Pattinson another chance to don the yellow once again.