Gun Australia fast bowler James Pattinson has announced his retirement from Test cricket less than two months before the first match of the Ashes.
The 31-year-old was likely to be included in Australia’s squad for the five-match series against England, as cover for key trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, but he’s called time on his Test career due to a knee injury.
“Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end I haven’t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season,” Pattinson said.
“If I was to be part of the Ashes I would need to do myself and my teammates justice. I didn’t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team.
“It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family.”
Pattinson’s retirement call means Michael Neser, Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee now have a greater chance of earning squad selection.
Pattinson took 81 wickets at an average of 26.33 from 21 Tests, debuting against New Zealand at The Gabba in 2011 and playing his last match against the Kiwis at the SCG in 2020.
While the Victorian has been one of the country’s best pacemen over the last decade, a torrid run with injuries, the success of the three NSW spearheads and the 2013 homework saga have limited his opportunities in national colours.
The bustling quick mounted an incredible comeback from spinal surgery to feature in the first match of Australia’s 2019 Ashes tour of England, playing his first match in more than three years.
Pattinson was at his best for Australia during his first summer of Test cricket, taking 14 wickets at 14 from two games against New Zealand, as well as 11 wickets at 23.86 from two outings against India. Included in his brilliant 2011-12 summer were two five-wicket hauls.
Pattinson has also appeared in 15 one-day internationals and four T20 internationals.
He’s taken 302 first-class wickets and is likely to build on that number.