Sheffield Shield NSW v Victoria: Kurtis Patterson’s goal for Blues, NSW squad

A couple of years ago he was hailed as Australia’s newest cricket sensation. Injury and a global pandemic conspired against him but now Kurtis Patterson is looking to reclaim some limelight.

Kurtis Patterson is delighted to be back playing cricket for the NSW Blues.

Over summer Kurtis Patterson said he felt more like a personal trainer than a cricketer.

The Surry Hills based cricketer who grew up in Lugarno spent a BBL season watching on rather than playing for the Perth Scorchers.

But it’s not returning the Australian ranks he’s dreaming of. Patterson, the youngest Australian to score a first-class century on debut, simply want to do well for his beloved Blues.

Kurtis Patterson bats during day four of the cricket tour match between Australia A and the England Lions.

“One of the things I still remember is when I came out and debuted I had Murray Bennett, who played for Australia, and he presented me with my cap,’’ said Patterson, the St George opener who made his debut for the Blues a decade ago.

“It’s always spoken about, what a privilege and honour it is to represent your state and family and everyone else who loves cricket.

“We love it. It’s one of those things that is drilled into you, the pride and passions of being with the Blues.’’

Kurtis Patterson after being dismissed by James Pattinson during day three of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria last week.

Patterson, then 18, made his Sheffield Shield debut for NSW against Western Australia in 2011, scoring a mammoth 157 in the first innings - the youngest player to achieve the feat.

And while things might not have gone according to plan in the first Sheffield Shield match of 2021 when he was out for a duck against Victoria last week, he has the chance to impress again when NSW take on their southern rivals at Bankstown Oval from Thursday.

“There’s not a lot of Test cricket coming up for Australia and that could be a good thing because I can narrow the thinking,’’ he said.

“I just want to be part of a couple of winning teams.’’

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Over summer Patterson has been making strides his comeback from a quad injury sustained in 2019.

“I was just chasing a ball to the boundary and went to brace myself to dive form a squat position and felt my quad click or pop,’’ he said.

“I couldn’t walk straight away. You know you are in trouble when that happens but its been fine every since I have come back.’’

The NSW Blues have made one change to their squad for this week’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at Bankstown Oval.

Kurtis Patterson after his dismissal in last weeks game at the SCG.

Pat Cummins replaces fellow Test fast bowler Josh Hazlewood after missing last week’s Shield loss to the Victoria but captaining the Blues Marsh One Day Cup side to their own over Victoria.

NSW Blues Marsh Sheffield Shield squad: Peter NEVILL (Captain), Sean ABBOTT, Harry CONWAY, Trent COPELAND, Pat CUMMINS, Moises HENRIQUES, Daniel HUGHES, Nick LARKIN, Nathan LYON, Kurtis PATTERSON, Steve SMITH, Daniel SOLWAY, Mitchell STARC

Spectator details

Gates open at 10am; play starts at 10.30am.

Entry is free.

To comply with NSW Government regulations, all patrons must scan a venue QR code to enter. Capacity will be limited to 500 patrons each day.

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