Former Test fast bowler James Pattinson primed for Victorian Sub-Districts debut with Oakleigh

It’s a bad time to be a batsman in sub-district cricket. Ex-Test quick James Pattinson will play for Oakleigh in Saturday’s season opener, writes PAUL AMY.

James Pattinson, pictured playing for Nottinghamshire last year, will play Victorian Sub-Districts cricket for Oakleigh. Picture: Mick Walker, CameraSport via Getty Images

Look away now, batters in the south-east section of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association.

Former Test quickie James Pattinson has been training with Oakleigh and, weather permitting, will debut for the club in Round 1 on Saturday.

Oakleigh is due to play Ormond at The Gunn.

Pattinson had a bat and a bowl with the Oaks on Tuesday night at the Young Gun Cricket centre in Moorabbin.

“He’s going beautifully,’’ president Peter Webb told CODE Sports.

“He’s locked and loaded, mate. He’s looking forward to it, in fact.

“He bowled the whole session last night and then he had a hit.

“It’s hard to tell at indoor training because they’re not off full run-ups and everything but he was hitting 130 km/h according to the speed gun in one of the nets. He was just bowling within himself. And he looked 10 times better than every other cricketer.’’

James Pattinson during his BBL stint with the Renegades. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Oakleigh announced in January that it had signed Pattinson for 2023-24, tapping his friendship with leading Oaks player Ryan Pearson.

The 33-year-old started last season as captain of Premier club Dandenong but he had only two matches before being injured and drifting away from cricket.

He played a few games of local football this year for Doveton, the suburb from where he emerged to make a speedy ascension to international cricket.

The right-armer bolted onto the Test scene in the summer of 2011-12, capturing 5-27 in New Zealand’s second innings at the Gabba.

But injuries followed him like a disciple and restricted him to 21 Tests.

They brought him 81 wickets at 26.33.

Cricket Victoria announced last September that Pattinson had agreed to terminate his contract for 2022-23.

Webb said Pattinson’s signing had created “huge excitement’’ at the club and in the Sub-District competition.

James Pattinson recently played footy for Doveton FC. Picture: Ian Currie

James Pattinson during his time with the Aussie Test team. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“I can’t tell you how many people have asked me in the last few months, ‘Have you really got Jimmy Pattinson?’

“And it gives me great pleasure in answering in the affirmative!’’

Batters will strike double-trouble when they meet Oakleigh this season. Aside from Pattinson, the Oaks have recruited UK fast bowler Ben Fletcher, who was at Premier club Richmond last year.

The left-armer, 23, has played some County Second XI cricket.

“We’re looking forward to seeing Ben and James in tandem,’’ Webb said.

While Pattinson will undoubtedly rattle some top-orders, the Oaks believe he’ll also do damage with the bat.

Technically pleasing and powerful, he cracked two centuries and 11 fifties for Dandenong.

Lindsay Kline is the Oaks’ most notable past player, joining them after his Test career and piling up 233 wickets at 10.59 in 53 matches.

The club also produced Australian leggie Alana King, who played juniors at Oakleigh. Former Victorian batters Val Holten and Graeme Vimpani also wore purple and gold.

Originally published as Former Test fast bowler James Pattinson primed for Victorian Sub-Districts debut with Oakleigh