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Saker plotting Pattinson's return

New Bushrangers coach outlines his immediate goals for the upcoming season

Nurturing one of Australia’s brightest fast-bowling talents will be a key challenge for new Victoria coach David Saker.

The former England fast-bowling coach, appointed Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers mentor last month, has in his possession a crop of fast bowling riches – none more promising than James Pattinson.

Pattinson missed selection in the Australia Test squads for the Caribbean and British Isles due to injury and his progression through the pre-season and 2015-16 domestic season will be carefully managed by Saker and CA’s High Performance team.

“James is a special sort of talent and we’ve got to try and get him on the park, not just for Victoria but for Australia,” Saker said.

“If he gets on the park he’s one of the best bowlers in the world.

“He’s had some injury dramas as most fast bowlers do, but we can sort that out.”

Earlier this year, former Bushrangers coach Greg Shipperd spoke of the meticulous way CA and Victoria managed Pattinson, 25, after a back problem kept prevent him from playing for almost 10 months.

"It's been a really collaborative effort," Shipperd told cricket.com.au at the time.

"I've never seen a program that's been so meticulous. (Pattinson) is one valuable commodity that needs a special program and history has dictated that that's the smartest option to take for him.”

Pattinson played five matches in the BBL|04 season and returned to the Shield line-up in February, but suffered a slight left hamstring issue bowling for Victoria in the Shield final in Hobart.

Image Id: ~/media/A36209574A564BB9828AE01DBDB867C3Australia and Victoria have high hopes for Pattinson // Getty Images

Chairman of Selectors Rod Marsh confirmed the quick was injured when the West Indies and Ashes squads were announced in late March.

“I’m really excited to be working with him again,” Saker said of Pattinson, who made his first-class debut in 2008 when Saker was an assistant coach at the Bushrangers.

“If you know the sort of character he is, he will just keep fighting and keep fighting.

“He’s really determined to do well and come back for Victoria and more importantly, for Australia.”

Saker, who will also helm the Melbourne Renegades in the KFC T20 Big Bash Legaue, takes control of a Bushrangers outfit who are the reigning Bupa Sheffield Shield champions, but it is the one-day game which will be his immediate focus.

Victoria finished fifth in last season’s Matador One-Day Cup and won just two of seven matches.

“Our one-day cricket last year was quite disappointing so I think a big focus first up will be to try and do really well in the Matador Cup,” Saker said.

“Quite a lot of our pre-season will be focused on the Matador Cup because we have to perform better than we did last year.

“With the team we’ve got we should be able to do that.”

Saker, who is joined at Victoria by bowling coach Mick Lewis and batting coach David Hussey, said he was confident the Bushrangers could continue their impressive Shield form, after winning the 2014-15 final against the Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors.

“Some of our youngsters are still getting back better and we’ve got a big crop of fast bowlers which is good,” Saker said.

“To win Shield titles you need a good crop of fast bowlers.”