Australian pacer, James Pattinson, 31, has announced a shock retirement from international cricket ahead of the Ashes 2021-22. Pattinson, whose career has been marred by injuries has played just 21 Test matches for Australia since 2011 when he made his debut.
Confirmed from the Aussie camp:
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 20, 2021
Pattinson impressed one and all with two five-wicket hauls against New Zealand and then followed it up with a couple of exceptional spells against India but never featured regularly for his side. However, he has looked much fitter in the last couple of seasons and despite being in the squad he didn’t play a single Test match against India in the four-match series.
Pattinson was set to be part of the upcoming Ashes series at home, however, a delay in his preparation due to COVID-19 lockdown and later, another injury last month meant it was the end of his dream to play another Ashes as he had mentioned previously that this could be his last Ashes series. However, he has mentioned that he still has four-five years of cricket left in him and he would play domestic cricket as well as keep an eye out for a possible County contract.
Talking about his decision, Pattinson in a statement said, “Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end I haven’t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season.
“If I was to be part of the Ashes I would need to do myself and my teammates justice.
“I didn’t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team.
“It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family, ” he further added.
Pattinson, who has taken 81 wickets in 21 Test matches, last played for Australia in the whites was in January 2020 against New Zealand at home. Pattinson also played in the IPL in the 2020 season for the eventual champions Mumbai Indians coming in as a replacement for Lasith Malinga. Pattinson made a fiery pace bowling trio for the men in blue alongside Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, taking 11 wickets in 10 matches.
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