Aussie Test star retires on the spot in shock announcement

Aussie firebrand James Pattinson has dropped a bomb on Australian cricket and has announced his immediate retirement.

James Pattinson isn’t going around again. AAP Image/Darren England.

James Pattinson has announced his immediate retirement from test cricket.

The 31-year-old finishes his test career with a record to be proud of — but also plenty to suggest it could have been so much more.

The Victorian made a shock public declaration last month he was ready to retire if overlooked for the 2021-22 Ashes squad.

He has now made good on that veiled threat to selectors and dropped a bomb, just weeks out from the First Test, scheduled to start on December 8.

Pattinson has released a statement confirming his retirement.

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“Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end I haven’t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season,” Pattinson said.

“If I was to be part of the Ashes I would need to do myself and my teammates justice.

“I didn’t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team.

“It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family.”

Cricket.com.au has reported Pattinson has walked away from his Cricket Australia contract and is now chasing a state contract with Victoria.

The Australian’s Peter Lalor first reported Pattinson’s announcement is a blow to Australia’s Ashes preparations with Pattinson still on the radar as the likely option to step into the starting XI, should any member of the established pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins be unavailable for selection.

However, the report details Pattinson has been managing an ongoing knee injury and has lost motivation to do the work needed to force his way into the starting XI.

Pattinson did not play a test last summer — partly the result of a rib injury — and hasn’t played a test in almost two years.

James Pattinson of the Heat appeals during the Big Bash League. AAP Image/Darren England.

Josh Hazlewood celebrates with James Pattinson during the 2019 Ashes. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Since February 2016, Pattinson has managed only four Tests for Australia, the most recent of which was against New Zealand in January last year.

He took five wickets in the 2019 Ashes and had made up his mind already that his test career was over if he wasn’t going to play one final Ashes series.

“This year, if I’m being honest, it’s probably one of my last cracks at it,” the 31-year-old told cricket.com.au last month.

“I’m going to try and play in the Ashes and see how I go.

“This year is a big one for me, if I can crack in and try and get an opportunity at Test level,” he said.

“If not, then I probably wouldn’t mind just looking to try and enjoy my cricket somewhere towards the back-end of my career.

“I’m going into it pretty relaxed and trying to say, ‘You’re having one last crack at trying to play Test cricket and get a good run at it.’

“I’d just like to play consistent cricket, wherever that might be.”