Published: Dec 13, 2015, 07:10 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 14, 2015, 01:51 PM (IST)
“He brings that kind of X-factor to the team. He has got a lot of aggression, he is not afraid to show, which I think is a great attribute.” Steven Smith had this to say about James Pattinson ahead of the first Test of the three-match series against West Indies. After going wicketless in the first innings, Pattinson did justice to Smith’s every word when he finished with a five-wicket haul after a devastating 8-over spell in the final innings, thereby helping Australia thrash West Indies by an innings and 212 runs inside three days at Hobart. Pattinson, who last played a Test in March 2014 against South Africa, was out of action due chronic back and hamstring issues. Pattinson not only took wickets but was also quite economical. Regardless of West Indies’ poor run in Test cricket, Pattinson’s 5 for 33 will be a spell to remember. FULL SCORECARD: Australia vs West Indies, 1st Test at Hobart
It was Pattinson’s fourth five-wicket haul in whites, with the last one coming against India two years ago in Chennai. The Victorian pacer has represented Australia in just 13 Tests before this game, and had 51 wickets to his name before the match. He filled in for the injured Mitchell Starc and performed admirably. It will be harsh to take away credit from him by considering his figures came against a lower-ranked Test side like West Indies. However, seeing the current form of the West Indians, Pattinson will know he has a long way to go before being considered a regular starter for Australia. Batting first, Australia posted a huge total of 583 before bundling out West Indies for a mere total of 223 in 70 overs. Australia’s first innings had the limelight on Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh who built a massive partnership of 449 runs for the fourth wicket. READ:Why Frank Worrell Trophy 2015-16 is important for the future of West Indies cricket
Australia then enforced the follow-on, and this time West Indies’ innings lasted a little over 37 overs. Pattinson did not have to wait very long for his first breakthrough. Rajendra Chandrika was out for a duck. Four overs later, Pattinson claimed the wicket of the previous innings’ centurion, Darren Bravo. The wickets fell like ninepins and in one day with the visitors lost 14 wickets. By the time he removed West Indian skipper Jason Holder, the match was as good as over. Pattinson missed out on a hat-trick after dismissing Marlon Samuels and Jermaine Blackwood in his eighth over.
The likes of England and South Africa are the fiercest competitors of the Australian side in the Tests and Pattinson’s best figures against the Proteas and the English are 3 for 93 and 3 for 69 respectively. Meanwhile, the other pacers like Josh Hazlewood, Starc and Peter Siddle have better figures against the higher-ranked Test nations with a lot of match-winning spells against them. And that automatically makes them the more obvious choice ahead of Pattinson in Tests. All the Victorian needs is fewer injuries to elongate his Test career and the selectors to give him more opportunities. Very few of those will come his way with Starc, Siddle and Hazlewood at their peak. So, converting those little chances into match-winning performances is essential for him. READ: Steven Smith to miss BBL due to knee, hip injuries; Will play 2nd Test against West Indies
(Sakshi Gupta, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a sports fanatic whose mantra in life is “do only what you enjoy.” Her Twitter handle is @sakshi2929)
