James Pattinson leaves Australia camp after gay slur suspension
Fiery Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has left the team camp ahead of the first Test against Pakistan. Pattinson is said to be shattered after being banned for a homophobic slur.
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James Pattinson has left the Australian camp in Brisbane to spend time with family before he returns to the squad ahead of the second Test.
The emotional paceman, who has been suspended from this week’s summer opener at the Gabba, is said to be shattered at the fallout from his alleged homophobic slur and has been granted time away to clear his head.
Pattinson was not at Australian training at Allan Border Field on Monday morning and was heading away to be with his wife and young daughter.
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Later this week he will start ramping up his bowling loads in training at Victoria cricket in a bid to be fit for the second Test against Pakistan, should he be selected.
It was felt Pattinson wouldn’t be able to get the necessary training loads into him if he stayed with the team in Brisbane, given the Australian training staff would’ve been restricted to duties at the Gabba once the match was underway.
Pattinson immediately apologised to Brisbane quick Cameron Gannon – a friend and former teammate of his – when he made the alleged slur during last week’s Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG.
The contrite fast bowler has also apologised to teammates.
A decision was made by Australian management on Sunday night that Pattinson would be best following a plan away from the camp that includes some rest and recovery before ramping up training.
Meanwhile, long-time teammate Peter Siddle doesn’t think his latest indiscretion will count against James as the summer goes on.
“It’s an emotional game and sometimes you go a bit too far … but it’s because you care,’ Siddle said.
“He’s not trying to do anything stupid, he just cares about the team and wants to get results. He’s got to miss this Test and that will hurt him.
“He doesn’t have to (play on the edge) but I think everyone has seen when he’s at that sort of level, it does bring a lot better cricket out of him. He’s always going to be pushing the line … that’s why we love him.
“It’s disappointing as a mate to see him miss a Test. There’s four Tests left for the summer, hopefully he can play a part in those.”
Last week’s Test squad selection also potentially ended the international career of Siddle who said he had “fallen down the pecking order” after playing twice during this year’s Ashes.
Siddle, who turns 35 later this month, said he would always retain hope of getting back, but was closer to conceding that was unlikely to happen.
“You always retain a little bit of hope. It’s probably dwindled in the last week or so,” he said.
“But if that was the be all and end all, as soon as I hung up the phone I would have hung it up all together.
“But I love playing the game, and if I stay on the park, keep working hard, that’s all I can do. My record speaks for itself. The ball is coming out well, I’m taking wickets … I’m enjoying my cricket.
“If it gets me another game for Australia it does, if it doesn’t 67 Tests and a few white ball games chucked in there, I’ve had a pretty good career. I’ll be happy no matter what.”
Originally published as James Pattinson leaves Australia camp after gay slur suspension
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