Barely being able to move first thing in the morning has taught James Pattinson the true meaning of patience.
While the Victorian paceman's big goal is the Ashes tour next year, Pattinson is happy to just be back playing Sheffield Shield cricket.
James Pattinson is going to pace himself on his return to cricket, having been on the sidelines for a long time.Credit:Jay Cronan
Pattinson will play his first Shield game since the 2016-17 final when he returns for Saturday's match against SA at the MCG.
He returns to a team in full flight, with Victoria winning their opening two Shield games by an innings and also claiming the domestic one-day title.
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The Test fast bowler has had a shocking run of injuries and he underwent back surgery last November.
On Thursday, fellow Victorian and Australian quick Peter Siddle urged selectors not to rush Pattinson's return.
The man himself is determined, but well aware he must bide his time.
"Obviously I've made some mistakes of looking too far ahead before," he said.
"If you try too hard and want too much early, then obviously you can take a backward step.
"You have to have a big goal and obviously that [the 2019 Ashes] is the biggest goal.
"I'm not hanging my hat on it or anything like that – just thinking, take small steps."
Pattinson has played 17 Tests, most recently against New Zealand in February 2016.
His Victorian comeback is a big milestone after the surgery and Pattinson admits there were some doubts during the recovery.
"Obviously there are some frustrating mornings when you wake up and you can hardly move," he said.
"When I first got the surgery done, it's a long time ago and you think 'am I ever going to get back to playing professional cricket?'
"To get back with the Vics is something I'm proud of.
"There have been some bad days, some good days."
Pattinson said the main goal with his bowling against SA will be to regain rhythm, rather than trying to go flat-out.
"It's only early days – I'm if I'm still standing here playing at the end of the season I will be happy," he said.
"I won't go ballistic with it. I probably won't bowl 40 overs [against SA].
"There might be times when you crank it up a little bit … 15 months out of the game is a long time."
During his time out, Pattinson worked on his batting and hopes to move up in the Victorian order, from No.8 to seven.
"I'm pretty proud that I can sit there and say I can bat up the order a little bit and that obvously helps me get a game as well," he said.
Siddle also returns to the Victorian squad following the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.
Victoria: Peter Handscomb (capt), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Travis Dean, Seb Gotch, Marcus Harris, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Matthew Short, Chris Tremain, Eammon Vines, Cameron White (12th man to be named).
AAP
