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Patto shows his mettle, but don't rush him back

Brad Haddin lauded Renegades quick James Pattinson's character for stepping up in final over but warned against rushing him back into international cricket

Brad Haddin coolly dealt with speedster James Pattinson to steer the Sydney Sixers to a thrilling win but the former Australia gloveman praised the Melbourne Renegades quick's character and says the Australian public wants to see him back in the Test side.

With the Sixers needing nine to win from the final six deliveries of the match, Pattinson was keen to get the ball for the last over despite persistent rain over the SCG for the Sixers' innings having made things tricky for the Renegades bowlers.

The tearaway beat a playing-and-missing Haddin on the first ball to make the equation nine needed from five balls.

That was before the veteran wicketkeeper responded by slashing his next delivery over point for four, as the paceman was then called for a front-foot no-ball and conceded two more runs, leaving Haddin to strike the winning blow off the ensuing free-hit.

But Haddin commended Pattinson for his insistence on bowling the final over in far from ideal bowling conditions and despite being in just his second game back from injury.

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"It was a bit hard to stand up, I felt a bit like Bambi," the 40-year-old, who finished with 30 off 23 balls in a player-of-the-match effort, said of the slippery pitch.

"Trying to get your foot in to get a stable base to hit was quite hard. If it was hard for us then it was definitely going to be hard for the bowlers.

"But it was good to see James Pattinson back, he's been out a long time, he's a superstar of our game so I just enjoyed seeing him back.

"He looked quick at the start when the conditions suited him but it was a little slippery there at the end.

"I'm just glad that after a long lay-off he wanted the ball at the end.

"It shows great character from James to be out that long and want the ball when the game is on the line."

Umpires in the KFC Big Bash League have been encouraged to keep the players on the field in the face of drizzle that may stop play in a Test match.

Haddin, who said that a similar spell of rainfall was enough to halt play in the recent Australia v Pakistan Test at the same venue recently, was nonetheless in favour of the attitude in the shorter format.

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Though he admitted he was a little fearful of how the likes of Pattinson would fare as the game reached its climax.

"It was a bit nervous to see guys like James Pattinson bowling there at the end," he said.

"He's such an important player for Australia, after such a long layoff I'm just glad he got through in the end.

"It's great to see him playing Big Bash but the Australian public want to see him playing Test cricket for Australia more and more."

And while Haddin includes himself in that category, he believes selection on Australia's upcoming four-Test tour to India may be too much, too fast for Pattinson

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"Nah, I'd just like to see Jimmy back playing cricket," Haddin said when asked if he'd like to see Pattinson on the plane to the subcontinent.

"I don't think we need to put any pressure on him. He needs to get some overs under the belt, he'll get back and play some (Sheffield) Shield cricket after (the BBL).

"I don't think he needs to be rushed.

"But it's just great to see him back playing. I don't think we need to be looking too far down the track.

"Let him do what he's doing now and enjoy this."