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Siddle urges Pattinson patience

The experienced quick wants to see James Pattinson make a safe return to Sheffield Shield cricket

Victoria quick Peter Siddle has urged injury-prone paceman James Pattinson to stay patient as he inches closer to a return to Sheffield Shield cricket.

Pattinson didn't play any cricket last summer following back surgery and has only just recently returned to bowling at full pace.

Playing predominantly as a batsman of late, the 28-year-old scored a century while bowling just four overs for Victoria's Futures League side last month and has totalled a mere 18 overs for Dandenong in Melbourne's Premier Cricket competition through five matches this campaign.

Pattinson has already indicated his main goal is to play for Australia in next year's Ashes series in England, but Siddle believes he needs to remain patient and concentrate on making a successful return to Shield cricket in the coming months.

"I'd just love to see him out there playing cricket for Victoria," Siddle said at the MCG on Thursday.

Pattinson bags eight and top scores on debut

"We know how effective he can be at Australian level, but I'd prefer everyone to not put too much pressure on him so we can just see him out here playing for Victoria.

"Let's see him with the ball in hand playing some cricket for Victoria again, with the red ball, and just let it go from there."

Pattinson had been recovering well from back surgery and was in line to return for Victoria during the JLT One-Day Cup in September, but a mild hip flexor issue in the days leading into the tournament curtailed those hopes.

Image Id: 4F1777A8079A42A4B8A209E0114F2893 Image Caption: James Pattinson and Peter Siddle on tour for Australia // Getty Images

Siddle said Pattinson's recovery had been rushed in previous years, but believes the right-armer is following a more-structured program this time that will pay dividends in the long-term.

"There has always been a lot of pressure on him when he has come back," Siddle noted.

"He has played a few games and it's always been, 'let's get him back in the Australian side'.

"Mentally it takes its toll and physically, it has over the years (as well) – there has been a lot of injuries come about because of all the pressure we have put on him and we have fast tracked him so quickly.

"It would be great to see him back in Australia colours in time, but for now it would be nice for everyone just to take it easy and let him enjoy his cricket."

And Siddle believes there is still plenty of time for Pattinson to add to his 17 Test match appearances and have a long and prosperous career for Australia in five-day cricket.

"He has got plenty of time," Siddle said. "He knows that now, he doesn’t have to rush, he knows he can take a few years to get back into it and get back to his best.

"If it takes a year, if it takes two years, he has still got plenty of Test cricket to play."

Siddle will make his own return to Sheffield Shield cricket this week, with the veteran a likely inclusion for Victoria’s four-day game against South Australia starting at the MCG on Saturday.