After overcoming a severe back injury to play for Australia in the Under-19 World Cricket Cup, James Pattinson is hoping to break into the Victorian Bushrangers’ line-up next season. Picture: Meagan Rogers.By Marc McGowan
TEENAGE Endeavour Hills fast bowling sensation James Pattinson is setting his sights on cracking the Victorian Bushrangers line-up after representing Australia at the Under 19 World Cricket Cup in Malaysia.
The international event, which was won by India, ran for two weeks before finishing this month.
Defending champion Pakistan knocked Australia out in their quarter-final clash in a disappointing result, but Pattinson, 17, was delighted just to be there after a tumultuous 12 months.
The Dandenong Panthers prospect was diagnosed with a stress fracture on the left side of his back and a stress reaction on his other side in January last year.
“Around October-November time I was only a 10 per cent chance of going,” the budding all-rounder said.
“I did a fair bit of work on my core and back and it improved really quickly then I got a phone call just before Christmas that I was going away.
“It definitely felt really good because it was something I’d worked hard for to get selected in.
“It was amazing really; it’s a dream come true to play for Australia in any form.”
Pattinson, who wore a back brace for five months, has plenty of people to thank for his ascension to national ranks, but number one on that list must be Bushrangers fitness coach David Bailey.
Since being chosen for a Victorian rookie contract in June, Haileybury College student Pattinson has worked diligently with Bailey to strengthen his back and prevent the problem from returning.
The brother of star Bushranger Darren now monitors how many balls he bowls a week after doctors blamed a heavy workload for causing the injury.
Originally the ailment was only supposed to sideline the youngster for six months, but a lack of progress pushed back the timetable for his recovery.
Finally Pattinson began to see light at the end of the tunnel and he is grateful for all the support he received through the difficult period.
“They (Victorian officials) worked so close with me and my school and my family. I thought the work that was done for me was unbelievable,” he said.
Pattinson does not feel a part of the Bushrangers team yet because he has only been able to commit part-time so far, but has high hopes for next season.
“It has been awesome. It’s a great opportunity and experience to be able to train with guys like Cameron White and Brad Hodge,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll have a big pre-season with the Victorian fitness coach (Bailey) and get on the tour to Queensland and hopefully break into the team next year.”
For now, Pattinson’s sole focus is on helping Dandenong defend its Victorian Premier Cricket title.
“We’ve definitely got the list to do it, with the likes of (Peter) Siddle, my brother, (Paul) Boraston, (captain-coach Warren) Ayres, (fellow Australian under 19 representative Kumar) Sarna, and (Brett) Forsyth has been hitting his straps this season,” he said.
“We have a better team than last year almost, so we’re hoping to finish in the top four with a win this week.
“I was shattered (to miss out on playing in the grand final last season), but I’m only young and I’ve got plenty more opportunities, so hopefully this is the year.”
