Profile
James Pattinson is a member of the young fast bowling fraternity that is taking over Australian cricket. With raw pace and controlled out swing, he has become a valued member of the Australian set-up, especially in the Test arena.
A solid domestic career, including a Victoria best 6/48 against NSW earned Pattinson a surprise call up to the national squad for the home series against New Zealand.
A quiet first innings with the ball was soon forgotten when the fiery quick tore through the Kiwi top order, taking the first five wickets of the innings. His 5/27 earned him Man of the Match honours, and he has never looked back.
He took another five-for in the next game, and finished the two test series with an impressive 14 wickets at an average of just 14.
Pattinson continued his meteoric rise at his home town Test against India in the Boxing Day match at the MCG. 4/53 against the star studded Indians was backed up by another haul of four wickets at the second Test in Sydney.
Pattinson was used as the strike weapon during the VB Tour of India and was regularly the most dangerous bowler, even on the spin friendly pitches he was faced with.
It is hard to fault his Test career thus far, with the express bowler having already taken 40 wickets in just ten appearances. Not known for his batting ability, he has already amassed 259 runs at an average of 29.
With injuries always hanging over the head of young quicks, Australia can only hope that the Victorian quick stays healthy in the lead-up to the 10 Test Ashes extravaganza.
