Pattinson to start first Windies Test
Pace bowler James Pattinson will start for Australia in the first Test against West Indies, captain Steve Smith has confirmed.
Pattinson has not played in the five-day format since March 2014 after being hampered by injuries including two back problems that saw him remodel his action.
However, with Mitchell Johnson retiring after the second contest of the three-Test series against New Zealand last month Pattinson was drafted back into the squad for the opening match against the Windies, which begins on Thursday.
Although he was not selected for the last meeting with the Black Caps, Smith revealed that Pattinson – who has 13 Test caps since making his debut in December 2011 – will form a three-man pace attack in Hobart alongside Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood, meaning Nathan Coulter-Nile misses out.
“I think he has played enough, he has been bowling really well, he deserves his chance,” Smith told Cricket Australia’s official website when asked about the inclusion of Pattinson.
“He just needs to go out and do what he does well. He is similar to Hazlewood the way he bowls. Hopefully those two can lead the attack well.”
Australia’s batting order remains unchanged with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh at six and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill at seven, despite calls for them to swap positions.
