Published: Nov 19, 2015, 04:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 19, 2015, 04:51 PM (IST)
David Saker, James Pattinson’s state coach, expressed his concern over the fact that the pacer might be under-prepared ahead of the third Test between Australia and New Zealand. After Mitchell Johnson’s sudden retirement from the game of cricket, Pattinson got a call to be a member of Australia’s 13 men squad for the third Test in Adelaide. The Test, which is going to be the first official day-night Test match, might see Pattinson make a much awaited comeback to the country’s Test team after a span of 18 months. Pattinson, who was surprised to see his name in the squad, had last played in a Test in Cape Town in March 2014 and played only five first class matches in the past two years. His performance in the current Sheffield Shield matches after successfully fighting two severe back injuries earned him the spot in the national squad as he took four wickets in each of the first two matches. READ MORE: Australia vs New Zealand 2015 day-night Test at Adelaide Oval: James Pattinson ready for
Despite the performance, Saker stated that he is not sure if the bowler is perfectly alright to take the stress. “I would have concerns if they produced another wicket like they did in the week just gone. If he’s in the field for a really long period of time and bowling spells I’m not sure he’s ready for that yet,” he said. “I think their hand’s been forced a little bit by what happened to Mitch. I hope he goes well but I’m a little bit concerned he’s underdone. He hasn’t got any history of putting lots of games together. When you don’t have that you’ve always got questions, I’ll always doubt people who can’t play four or five Shield games in a row – how can they get through two or three Test matches?” added Saker.
He also admitted the fact that the selectors had very few options to pick from and Pattinson was the only option as bowlers like Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff are out of the field due to their injuries. 25 year old Pattinson has so far bagged 51 wickets in his 13 Tests and has the potential to fit-in Johnson’s role in the team. Talking about his injuries woes, he said, “I’m doing everything possible to stop myself from getting injury. Most people who know me know that I go 100 miles an hour all the time. If I get injured, I get injured. There’s not much you can do about it. All you can do is prepare the best possible way.” READ: Australia vs New Zealand 2015, 3rd Test at Adelaide: Shane Watson feels Shaun Marsh
Apart from Pattinson, Peter Siddle and spinner Steve O’Keefe who are competing for a place in the squad, also deserve a chance as believes Pattinson. “If I was Sidds and missed out I’d probably be pretty disappointed too,” he said. “It’s good that’s there’s good competition. I’m just really rapt to be in squad to be honest – I probably wasn’t expecting it. If I don’t get selected so be it, I’ll just keep pushing and putting my name forward.”
