We have all seen Australia try to manage without the injury-prone Pat Cummins and Tim Paine for most of the period 2011-2017.
But what is often overlooked is that James Pattinson is another superb cricketer who has missed most of that time with a succession of back injuries.
Some time ago he bit the bullet and underwent the same spinal fusion surgery as Shane Bond. And he gave up on his remodelled but but inferior bowling action.
The last four days we have had the world’s most important and high quality domestic cricket match - the Sheffield Shield Final.
And after a slow start to the season, Pattinson hit top form when it mattered most and took 7-71 to deliver the title to Victoria.
Australia has had five world class cricketers since the retirement of Ricky Ponting.
Two of them - Dave Warner and Steve Smith - have nobody but themselves to blame for their recent bans.
But now finally Pat Cummins and Tim Paine can be joined by James Pattinson in the Test Team:
Finally, after all these years, Australia might be able to field its five world-class players in the same team!
But what is often overlooked is that James Pattinson is another superb cricketer who has missed most of that time with a succession of back injuries.
Some time ago he bit the bullet and underwent the same spinal fusion surgery as Shane Bond. And he gave up on his remodelled but but inferior bowling action.
The last four days we have had the world’s most important and high quality domestic cricket match - the Sheffield Shield Final.
And after a slow start to the season, Pattinson hit top form when it mattered most and took 7-71 to deliver the title to Victoria.
Australia has had five world class cricketers since the retirement of Ricky Ponting.
Two of them - Dave Warner and Steve Smith - have nobody but themselves to blame for their recent bans.
But now finally Pat Cummins and Tim Paine can be joined by James Pattinson in the Test Team:
Finally, after all these years, Australia might be able to field its five world-class players in the same team!
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