Melbourne: Australia paceman James Pattinson is targeting back-to-back Tests in the upcoming series against Pakistan and New Zealand as he savours a rare run of fitness heading into the home summer.
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The 29-year-old’s successful return during the Ashes in England was a feel-good story for Australian cricket and a triumph of perseverance for an outstanding bowler restricted to six Tests in the past five years.
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Pattinson was relieved to head home at the end of the series without having to contemplate another long spell of rehab.
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“When I got back from England I sort of didn’t know what to do because I’d usually be nursing a stress fracture or something like that,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
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“So, to rock up and have four days off and bowl again, I was like, ‘What is this all about?’ “I think it’s just things like that where you pinch yourself a little bit and go: ‘This is good.’” Seen as a potential 100-Test cricketer when he broke into the Australia team as a fiery 21-year-old, Pattinson has managed only 19 Tests in a career interrupted by frequent back problems.
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He was picked for the first and third Ashes Tests in England, where Australia drew the series 2-2 to retain the urn, and is now hoping to prove to selectors he is ready to stand up to the strain of back-to-back matches.
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“I have been injury-free for the most part of a year now. The body is feeling good,” he said.
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“I think the next process for me, if I do get a chance in the Test arena, is to try and play more back-to-back cricket now.”
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Pattinson is expected to be named in the Test squad, set to be released this week, for the two-match series against Pakistan starting in Brisbane on November 21.
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There will be fierce competition among Pattinson and pace teammates Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to be one of the three seamers likely to start at the Gabba.
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Victoria paceman Pattinson will hope a few wickets against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield match in Melbourne this week can help his cause.
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