Bankstown Oval looms as early test for Ashes’ hopefuls

Even after scoring a century in just his second Test, Kurtis Patterson isn’t taking his Ashes hopes for granted — so is banking on a mountain of runs in Sheffield Shield to press his claims.

Scoring his first hundred for Australia was some statement of intent. Photo: Phil Hillyard

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Bankstown Oval is a long way from Lord’s but for one of Australia’s Ashes hopefuls, the humble suburban stadium could well turn out to be his field of dreams.

With still so much uncertainty about the makeup of Australia’s batting line-up for this year’s Ashes series, the next six weeks of Sheffield Shield matches has suddenly taken on added importance.

While Australia’s limited-overs players will be focusing on white ball cricket for the next few months, there’s a handful of players on the fringe of Ashes selection whose fate could rest on how they perform in Australia’s domestic first-class competition.

Patterson certainly looked the part against Sri Lanka. Photo: Phil Hillyard

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With spots in the Ashes squad already tight even before Steve Smith and David Warner make their comebacks, no one feels safe but all agree their fate could be decided by how they fare in Sheffield Shield.

“The one-day boys can focus on the white ball for the next six months but it’s a good opportunity for blokes like myself to really knuckle down and score a lot of red ball runs,” Kurtis Patterson said.

“There’s always a bit of talk leading into an Ashes series with spots up for grabs at the moment, as I guess they have been for the last two years, it’s crucial but I feel like I’ve said that for the last 18 months in terms of Shield cricket for NSW so nothing changes.”

Scoring his first hundred for Australia was some statement of intent. Photo: Phil Hillyard

Patterson is one of the batsmen at the head of the queue after forcing his way into the Test side for the two-match series against Pakistan then scoring a hundred in his second outing.

Patterson is desperate to play in the Ashes but even he doesn’t feel secure, so wants to push his credentials this weekend when NSW hosts Western Australia at Bankstown Oval.

The southwest suburban stadium might seem like a low-key setting but Patterson knows the stakes are high with Cricket Australia deciding to use the same Duke cricket balls that will be used in England during the Ashes to see how all the players in contention cope with the extra swing.

Patterson will keep his focus on NSW for now. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

“It’d be a dream come true. Playing against England in England is something I think every kid aspires to,” he said.

“There's plenty of water to go under the bridge before but if that opportunity did arise it would be a once in a lifetime thing and I think I’d grab it with both hands if it did come up.

“Hopefully I get on that A tour firstly, which is a good opportunity to score some runs and if I’m in the Ashes squad or team that’s wonderful but right now it’s about NSW and doing what I can for NSW as it is for all the other Test batters that have gone back to their states.”

Originally published as Bankstown Oval looms as early test for Ashes’ hopefuls