Lehmann objects to Saker comments

Darren Lehmann has hit back at Victoria coach David Saker for warning Australia's selectors against rushing fast bowler James Pattinson back into the Test side.

Saker, who took over as Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers coach this year, said the national selection panel should wait until the end of the year before they consider handing Pattinson a Test recall.

The 25-year-old has been dogged by serious injuries since the 2013 Ashes and has recently returned to cricket with a new-look bowling action.

Saker, England's former bowling coach, believes the right-armer should be given time to adjust to the changes in his action before he's selected in the Test side.

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But Lehmann, part of Australia's four-man selection panel, said Saker should focus his attention on his Bushrangers side.

"I think David Saker should concentrate on coaching Victoria and leave us to pick the side for Australia," Lehmann said.

"And if James Pattinson is in and ready to go then we think highly of him. We won't rush him back in if he's not right. He's got to be ready to play.

"I think what we've got to do is pick the side that's going to take 20 wickets, and that's what we always do."

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Lehmann added he could do nothing about Victoria's decision to leave Test quick Peter Siddle out of their side during the Matador BBQ One-Day Cup.

Siddle has watched the Bushrangers' first three matches from the sidelines, with Pattinson, John Hastings and Scott Boland preferred in his place.

Pattinson and Hastings were part of Australia's ODI squad in England last month, while Saker says the uncapped Boland is Victoria's best one-day quick.

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Siddle is one of three incumbent fast bowlers in the Test side having impressed with six wickets, and economical spells that included 17 maidens, in Australia's victory against England at The Oval in August.

But if he continues to be overlooked during the Matador Cup, he will have to rely on a single Sheffield Shield match in order to prepare for the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

When asked if Siddle had done enough to hold his place in the Test side, Lehmann responded: "I don't know. I haven't seen him bowl".

"Victoria have been nice and it's been good for them not to play him, hasn't it,” he added with a grin.

"That's just the way it is, we can't control what Victoria do.

"It would be nice to see him play because we've got a Test match coming up. But we'll just have to wait and see at the selection table.

"(The opening Shield game) is probably all he's going to get, isn't it? That's just what it is."

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On Sunday, Saker said selectors would be "mad" if they rushed Pattinson back into the Test side, adding he believed Australia would opt for a pace trio of Siddle, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson for the first Test against the Black Caps.

Pattinson was included in Australia's 20-man squad for their two-day red-ball camp in Sydney this week having starred in Victoria's opening matches of the Matador Cup.

While Saker has been impressed by Pattinson's work with the white ball, he says he should be given more time to adjust to his new action in first-class cricket.

"I don't think they (selectors) should make him available for selection until Christmas," he told Fairfax.

"They are better off just letting him find his way. He has changed his action, he is still scrapping the edge of that.

"He still has a bit of time. I know he has bowled very well (in the Matador Cup) … but I wouldn't be rushing him into a Test team.

"Plus, whose spot would he take? Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle would be the frontline quicks.

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"You would think they would get the first crack at it. He would have to wait for one of them to break down or lose form.

"They would be mad to put him in early and should allow him to play some state cricket.

"If he can get through two or three Shield games, two things will happen; he will be confident in his body, plus his action will be a bit more grooved and he probably will be ready by then."

Saker also questioned Australia's decision to leave Siddle out their Ashes side this year until after the urn had been relinquished.

The Aussies opted for an attack of Johnson, Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the opening four Tests against England before Siddle replaced Hazlewood for the final Test in London.

"The Australians made a big mistake, and they would be the first to put their hands up," Saker said.

"They mightn't say it publicly but not to play him in the earlier Tests, especially in those conditions, they won't make that mistake again.

"I would think he would definitely start (at the Gabba). Starc and Johnson will be the others."