VSDCA: James Pattinson tracks his remarkable debut for Oakleigh

Former Test quickie James Pattinson made an eye-catching start to his Subbies career, but he had to see off a hat-trick ball first. He talks us through his sensational knock.

Former Test quickie James Pattinson said his debut for Oakleigh in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association had shades of “going back in time”.

Back to his earliest days of cricket, where he would chase any opportunity to capture a wicket or carve a loose ball to the boundary.

But unlike the days gone before Saturday, there was no fear of failure.

Having fun and contributing to the Oaks was – and will remain – at the forefront of his mind.

James Pattinson made a dazzling century for Oakleigh on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

The 33-year-old managed to do both, producing a commanding 107 off 114 balls with 14 fours and two sixes with the bat before jagging 3-33 off nine overs with the ball.

“I sort of thought it felt like going back in time, but even back then I was worried about getting out, making a duck and stuff like that,” Pattinson said.

“I think when you go down a level in cricket and don’t perform, people will hop into you, if you do perform everyone just thinks ‘oh well, he’s expected to do it’.

“That’s probably the hardest part, but it’s about enjoying it and not putting too much stress on the body.

“I don’t have any fear of failure, I think for me, I have been to the highest part of the game, I am just going out there to have fun and contribute to the team.

“When you come to this stage, the last few years of cricket, you just want to have fun and contribute something.

“My body doesn’t really allow me to play at the highest level anymore, so the way I bowled I just bowled within myself – it was nice to do that and not pull up too sore.”

Ormond’s Rodney Bird had the ball talking early. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The left-hander wasn’t given an easy platform walking out at No.4, as Monders seamer Rodney Bird claimed two wickets in as many balls to close out the opening over.

The thought of being the final piece in Bird’s hat-trick crossed Pattinson’s mind but he remained composed on his way out.

“I sort of joked to the boys as I was walking out that it would be a good debut if I got out on a hat-trick ball,” he said.

“I was lucky that I hit one to point, the guy misfielded it and it went for four, it sort of got me away and I hit a couple of the next few ones for four.

“It was a good start, it was nice to be able to relax and play some local cricket with a few mates.

“I was disappointed we didn’t get the win but it was good to play local cricket and have a bit of fun.”

Pattinson signed for Oakleigh earlier this year.

Pattinson – who admits he is more eager to play as a bat than a bowler this Subbies season – was not able to carry the Oaks to victory.

Monders’ opening bat Rory Freeman (62) was able to steady his side from a shaky start to secure the points.

Pattinson expects fielding and building partnerships to be his side’s focus this week.

“We dropped a couple of vital catches at important times when we looked like we were on top of them,” he said.

“We only had one 50-run partnership, or something like that.

“There’s some really good players you need to keep an eye on, I think Freeman got away from us, we bowled a bit wide to him.

“Wickets in Melbourne that are slower and lower at this time of the year, it’s all about bowling straight and setting boring fields.

“There’s a lot to get better, there’s a lot of potential there, if we can all chip in we can be a pretty good team.”

Oakleigh faces Croydon next week at Croydon Park.