Patto's back with a fresh perspective

The fact that James Pattinson was far more comfortable in his pre-Test media conference talking about his interests away from cricket could well be interpreted as an indication he won’t be part of Australia’s XI for the historic first day-night Test against New Zealand.

It’s more than 18 months since Pattinson, who burst on to the international scene in a blaze of fire against a stunned New Zealand as a 21-year-old in 2011, played his 13th and most recent Test before yet another bout of back trouble saw him sidelined.

In the wake of Mitchell Johnson’s retirement with immediate effect last week, Pattinson was added to the Australia squad with a view that he might play alongside Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle under lights in Adelaide starting Friday, with Josh Hazlewood potentially being rested.

Quick Single: Siddle backs quicks to cover Johnson

Australia captain Steve Smith noted prior to last week’s second Test against New Zealand in Perth that Hazlewood had undertaken a heavy workload of late, which was compounded by the 38 overs he bowled at the WACA thus heightening speculation that Pattinson might play in Adelaide.

But the 25-year-old was demonstrably coy when asked about his feelings ahead of a potential Test recall, and the likelihood of lining up with the pink ball in hand, preferring instead to speak about his excitement at being "part of the squad" and "not looking too far ahead".

Opting for "feeling relaxed" rather than 'raring to go'.

But when it came to thoughts on how the latest enforced sabbatical has affected an intense young firebrand who has known more than his share of rehabilitation time in such a comparatively short career, Pattinson revealed that it’s not just his remodelled bowling action that has evolved.

His all-consuming focus on cricket has broadened to include a partner, Kayla Dickson, to whom he became engaged earlier this year.

A career interest in the building and construction industry for which he has begun studying at diploma level.

And a passion for greyhounds, fuelled by his older brother Darren (a former pace bowler who represented England in Tests) who trains and races the animals.

It has given him a balance and a perspective that he believes will hold him in good stead for the next phase of his Test career.

Whenever that may begin.

WATCH: Siddle backs Australia to handle Johnson exit

"Getting injured in the Ashes two years ago was something that hit me pretty hard, because I felt like I'd put everything into training and getting right for that," Pattinson revealed about the injury he suffered at Lord’s in 2013 that forced him out of the game for six months.

"To get injured, I wasn't expecting it at all, so it came as a bit of a shock. 

"So I've come back a bit smarter with the way that I train. 

"Like in a net session I'd be going a hundred miles an hour all the time and bowling as fast as I could but now I know that it's probably not sustainable doing that. 

“As you get a bit older you realise that. 

“For me, it's just experiencing things outside playing cricket. 

“Growing up, I left school and played cricket – that's all I did. 

“And then for two years I didn't have that (due to his back injuries), so it made me appreciate life outside cricket a little bit more. 

“I've come back now and I feel relaxed, I'm just enjoying it, and when you are injured, it's not fun, so being back is all about having fun and enjoying it, and that's when I play my best cricket.”

Pattinson bowled a lengthy spell at pace in the Australians’ training session at Adelaide Oval yesterday, and while he claims he is not yet threatening the 160.4km/h that Starc reportedly reached in Perth he is happy with the speed and control he has regained.

Quick Single: Finch backs Pattinson's pace

But with Australia leading 1-0 and with a match to play in this three-Test series, they are unlikely to gamble on two all-out attacking fast bowlers which might see Pattinson’s return remain on ice.

Not that he was talking up his chances of making a late case for a call-up in the final practice sessions before the Test begins at Adelaide Oval on Friday afternoon.

"I think you can always push your case at training," Pattinson said when asked if there was anything he could do to push his claims other than appealing directly to the curator and the weather gods.

"I suppose it’s hard to do, but again you’ve got to be bowling well and do that in front of the selectors is a big thing.

"Even if I don’t play this game it’s just great to be back in the squad, back amongst these guys and really actually playing cricket this time of the year is a pretty good thing for me so I’m pretty excited about that."

The words of someone who might know a thing or two, and has clearly learned many more in his extended stint on the sidelines.