Southampton: James Pattinson is itching to take the new ball in the Ashes again but says he would buy into a rotation policy in the interests of the bigger picture as Australian selectors begin planning how to unleash their world-class group of fast bowlers on England over the next seven weeks.
There is much discussion about which bowlers will take the field for Australia in the first Test at Edgbaston from Thursday, with Pattinson having firmed to join certain inclusion Pat Cummins in the XI following a spectacular display in the intra-squad practice match in Hampshire.
James Pattinson is raring to go for Australia at Edgbaston.Credit:PA
With Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle and Michael Neser also in the Test squad, Australia have plenty to choose from. Tour bolter Neser is unlikely to play but veteran Siddle will also be very difficult to overlook in Birmingham, with his ability to prosper in English conditions having only improved as he embarks on a fourth Ashes tour.
The schedule in England – there are five Tests and two tour games against county teams between August 1 and September 16 – prompted the selection of Neser as a sixth seamer and it may well encourage selectors to shift quicks in and out of the side during the series based not only on conditions but on their health.
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Its not generally in a fast bowlers nature to so readily accept being benched for the greater good or in the best interests of his own body but, after all Pattinson has been through with the back injuries that have punctuated his career, he is happy to play the longer game.
“[Selectors] have always wanted to have a lot of these bowlers up and running at the same time,” Pattinson said. "They've got that now so it gives them a great choice of variety of bowlers.
“It also gives them the option of resting players. It's five Tests with two tour games in six weeks then straight into an Australian summer. It gives them plenty of options.
“As big as an Ashes series is, you have to think of it long term. If that's resting after bowling a fair few overs, I'm sure the next guy coming in … or if I'm doing that for some other guy … it will help us long term and hold us in good shape going into the summer and beyond that.”
Pattinson last played in the Ashes in the second Test of the 2013 series at Lord's, when he suffered a stress fracture in his back and was ruled out for the rest of the series. He has been in England this year with Nottinghamshire before linking up with the Australia A team for a pre-Ashes tour.
His return to the Test squad was confirmed on Friday, but itRead More – Source
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