Gun local cricketing brothers James, left, and Darren Pattinson have both been selected in the Victorian Bushrangers squad for the 2007-08 season.– Marc McGowan
ENDEAVOUR Hills teenager speedster James Pattinson’s burgeoning cricket career received another boost on Tuesday when Cricket Victoria announced it had given him a rookie Victorian Bushrangers contract for the 2007-08 season.
It caps a sensational 12 months for the 17-year-old prodigy, where he was named captain of the Victorian team at the national under-17 championships, made his debut in the Dandenong firsts in Victorian Premier Cricket and was selected in the Australian under-19 squad for next year’s World Cup.
“I am very, very excited; it’s a great privilege,” he said.
“I get to be included in the state squad and the chance to train with the players and get a first-hand look at what I’m in for.”
The right-handed speed demon’s season came to a premature end when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back, but Pattinson is on the way back.
“I got the brace off last week and I’m back into training. I’m able to do bike riding and swimming, but I’m not able to run at the moment,” he said.
“I’ve been told that I’m allowed to be back bowling in 10 weeks, so that works out to be about the middle of August.”
Pattinson’s transition to the elite level will be aided by the fact his 28-year-old brother, Darren, who enjoyed a stunning debut season for the Bushrangers in 2006-07, has been chosen in the senior Victorian squad.
“It’s great for me to come through the ranks with my brother, because I’ve idolised him a fair bit and tried to be like him,” he said.
“It takes a bit of pressure off knowing he’s down there and I’m a bit less anxious around the guys now.”
