James Pattinson says local knowledge makes him an Ashes threat in England

A successful stint in the County Championship has given strike weapon James Pattinson added belief that the now injury free quick can terrorise England in their own back yard.

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Resurgent Aussie fast bowler James Pattinson has declared his county cricket stint in England has him poised to unleash his best in the Ashes and he has no plans to curb his natural aggression.

Pattinson is a near-lock to be named in the Ashes squad after the four-day game in Southampton, just 18 months after having surgery on his spine to alleviate the stress fractures which have plagued his 17-Test career.

James Pattinson only claimed one wicket in Australia’s intra-squad match but was a constant menace.

The 29-year-old also unveiled his plan to take English wickets in “clumps” when given the chance.

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He said the fully-primed Aussie bowling arsenal of Mitch Starc Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood would need to bowl with the type of persistence he required to re-build his body for the rigours of Test cricket for Australia to win its first series in England since 2001.

“I think I can play different roles, but over the years I have been able to come in and take wickets in clumps,” Pattinson said.

Pattinson is back to full fitness after years of fighting persistent injury.

“I think I have proven I can bowl anywhere. I think I can challenge them over here. I think it’s pretty simple over here. You always challenge the batter, challenge the defence …. challenge the front foot and the knee roll, try not to relieve too many boundary balls.

“It’s about hitting the right areas over and over again. It’s about not giving batters that release ball.

“It’s about being on more than you are in Australia. I think you can still be aggressive, but you be aggressive with that persistence.”

Wickets have been plentiful for Pattinson in 2019, including 17 in the final three Sheffield Shield games then 40 at an average of 15 in eight first-class games for Nottinghamshire.

He then took 7-77 for Australia A two weeks ago to lock in his Ashes selection.

It’s a dream return for a player Australian selectors have longed to have available and Pattinson, who has settled on a bowling action that suits him after too many tweaks, said he was benefiting from a relaxed perspective knowing he could finally just go out and bowl.

Pattinson believes an ‘aggressive persistence’ is the route to wickets in English conditions.

“The only concern was my body. I knew that if was up and running I was every chance of being picked in an Ashes team,” he said.

“I can just relaxed and run in and bowl. I don’t have to worry about where my back foot lands or if my front arm is high enough. When you are trying to play Test cricket and doing that, it’s hard work.

“I’ve been over here for three months playing for Notts. I’ve got enough cricket over here which is fantastic for someone like me who has come off not a great load of cricket the past few years.

“I played a far few Shield games this year (four) and moved on in to the summer over here. I’ve come off plenty of cricket and I’m feeling good.”