'He's a good bloke': Pattinson on Ashes villain

This might not be news Australian fans want to hear, but England seam bowler Stuart Broad is actually a good bloke, according to paceman James Pattinson.

Broad was public enemy No.1 six years ago after he decided, and quite rightly so, not to walk when he edged debutant spinner Ashton Agar to Michael Clarke at first slip in the opening Test of the 2013 Ashes in Nottingham.

Then Australia coach Darren Lehmann said he hoped the Australian public "gets stuck into him" in the return Ashes series four months later, and the Brisbane crowd obliged, booing Broad from pillar to post in the opening Test of the 2013-14 series.

Four years later at the Gabba, Broad copped similar hostility albeit to a much lesser degree.

Image Id: 02E44B05101F45429604C1CEE6C529AC Image Caption: James Pattinson claims the wicket of Stuart Broad during the 2013 Ashes // Getty

But since that epic Test in 2013, which England won by just 14 runs, Pattinson has played two seasons with Broad at Nottinghamshire and cannot speak any higher of his Ashes rival.

"He's a good bloke," Pattinson told cricket.com.au in Derby on Saturday.

"He's a fantastic guy. One of those people you like to share a dressing room with; he's full of knowledge and stuff like that.

"Me being Australian he could easily not have shared anything with me but he's been fantastic."

Pattinson has spoken in the past about how Broad has passed on tips and tricks about bowling in England, advice the Australia has used to great effect.

In eight first-class matches for Notts, the right-armer has captured 40 wickets at 15.52 runs apiece.

Image Id: 9FE1068A9DF14F2E83B3730D858AB076 Image Caption: Pattinson has impressed during his time at Nottinghamshire // Getty

Pattinson concluded his stint with Nottinghamshire this season with eight wickets in this week's loss to Kent and has since joined the Australia A squad to push his case for Ashes selection.

Should Pattinson be picked for his second Ashes campaign will he have to put his friendship with Broad aside as thy square off in the caldron of Test cricket.

But if that's the case, Pattinson says it would be interesting but not out of the norm for the glob-trotting players the modern era.

"Everyone plays against everyone these days," he said.

"You see a lot of people in the IPL playing against each other and you play against them in big series. 

"I only managed to play one game with him this (season) and then I think he was resting up to get ready for the Ashes.

"He's a fantastic bowler and someone like myself looks up to a little bit in terms of how he goes about it over here and how many wickets he's taken over here.

"In 2017 I pretty much played all season with him there and learnt a fair bit from him then.

"It would be interesting. He's a great competitor and someone you like playing against."

Pattinson and Broad faced each other in that 2013 Test at Trent Bridge but a return bout will not occur at the iconic venue this northern summer.

Trent Bridge is not hosting any of the five Ashes matches, with Edgbaston, Lord's, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval the grounds in use.

Although he concedes he's biased, Pattinson says he's disappointed Trent Bridge will not be holding an Ashes Test.

Image Id: FE755F6A79FB48A29CF750988B67905D Image Caption: Trent Bridge will not host an Ashes Test in 2019 // Getty

"I might be biased but I think Trent Bridge is the best ground in England," he said.

"It's a bit disappointing not to have one there.

"I was lucky enough to play there in 2013 which was a great Test match and something I still remember like it was yesterday.

"It is a bit disappointing but hopefully I might get another chance in my career if I stick around long enough.

"I know most of the players in England love playing there."

Australia A tour of the UK

Get live scores and all the latest news from Australia A's tour of the UK on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Matthew Wade, Will Pucovski, Peter Handscomb, Mitch Marsh (vc), D'Arcy Short, Kurtis Patterson, Ashton Agar, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Sean Abbott, Andrew Tye

Australia A four-day squad: Tim Paine (c), Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Will Pucovski, Travis Head (vc), Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Mitch Marsh, Michael Neser, Jon Holland, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Chris Tremain

One-day fixtures:

June 20: Australia A beat Northamptonshire by six wickets

June 23: Australia A v Derbyshire, County Ground

June 25: Australia A v Worcestershire, Kidderminster CC

June 30: Australia A v Gloucestershire, Bristol

July 2: Australia A v Gloucestershire, Bristol

Four-day fixtures:

July 7-10: Australia A v Sussex, Arundel

July 13-16: Australia A v England Lions, Canterbury

July 23-26: Australia v Australia A, Hampshire