James Pattinson is ready to finish his Specsavers County Championship season against Kent this coming week with pink ball in hand – and is determined to go out with a bang.
The Australian fast bowler has terrorised Division Two batting line-ups with his express pace since joining in April and has taken 28 wickets at just 10.50 runs each in four matches.
With the bat, he has also added a more-than-useful 193 runs at 64.33, including a key knock of 89 not out in the season-opening win over Leicestershire.
Although set to play in the Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s on 1 July (click here to buy tickets), tomorrow’s (Monday, 2pm start) first-ever floodlight four-day game at Trent Bridge marks the last of his four-day contributions.
Members are reminded they can bring along two free guests to each of the four days versus Kent (June 26 to June 29), although it is recommended those tickets are booked in advance.
“I’ve had a fantastic time at Notts,” said Pattinson. “Obviously it was a disappointing time last year, but we’ve had a few good wins this year and taken maximum points in the last game, so hopefully we can bounce straight back to Division One.
“We’ve done that while still being able to book our place in a one-day final as well, which is exciting in itself and a terrific achievement.
“I’ve learned a lot bowling here. It’s somewhere where I hadn’t really bowled a lot before, so to have a good stint and pick up quite a few wickets will obviously help me when I do come back to bowl in England again.
“I always set high standards for myself and want to get as many wickets as I can. I didn’t have a target – I just wanted to repay Nottinghamshire and their supporters.
“I’m looking forward to a pink ball game now, and I think the players are looking forward to the challenge against a good side and in a slightly new environment, having not played too much with the pink ball before.”
“The blokes are fantastic and it’s a great Club. I knew that it would be because I’ve heard about it from my brother." James Pattinson
Assistant Head Coach Paul Franks said last week that Notts would love to welcome back Pattinson in the future, and have not ruled out him returning this season, depending on his international schedule.
But while making no definite commitments, the Dandenong Destroyer, as he has affectionately become known, would love to be back on the Trent Bridge staff at some point, whether in the short or long-term.
Pattinson has benefited from sound advice from brother Darren – a popular seamer with Notts between 2008 and 2011 – which has been useful in helping him settle into Nottingham life so quickly.
He added: “The blokes are fantastic and it’s a great Club. I knew that it would be because I’ve heard about it from my brother, who played here for a number of years.
“I’s been great to have someone to talk to about what to expect. He’s been able to give me advice on how to bowl in the conditions, tell me about some of the grounds I’d be going to and other things like that.
“If I do get the chance to come over here again, I’d love to do it, but it depends on international cricket and if I get picked for that. For now, I’ve got the Kent pink ball game and then the one-day final to look forward to, so I’m concentrating on those.”
Alex Hales has been made available to play by the ECB after playing in the NatWest IT20 series gainst South Africa. He replaces the injured Stuart Broad (bruised heel) in the Nottinghamshire squad.
Nottinghamshire squad to face Kent (from): Brendan Taylor, Jake Libby, James Pattinson, Steven Mullaney, Chris Read, Riki Wessels, Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Luke Fletcher, Samit Patel, Brett Hutton, Jake Ball and Michael Lumb
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