James Pattinson’s ugly altercation with NSW batter Daniel Hughes in Sheffield Shield clash

Former Australian bowler James Pattinson has channelled his inner Mitchell Johnson with this ugly outburst in the Sheffield Shield.

Daniel Hughes and James Pattinson. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian pace bowler James Pattinson has channelled his inner Mitchell Johnson with a wayward throw that left New South Wales opener Daniel Hughes in considerable pain on Monday afternoon.

Chasing an unlikely target of 422 at the MCG, the Blues were looking to avoid a heavy defeat on day four of its Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria.

Hughes frustrated the Victorian bowlers with a defiant knock of 89 not out, carrying his bat and surviving 319 deliveries at the crease.

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On several occasions, Hughes edged deliveries that didn’t carry to the slip cordon, and Pattinson eventually lost his composure late in the afternoon session.

When yet another edge fell short of the slips, he screamed, “How many times?”

Then in the final over before tea, Hughes pushed a full delivery back at Pattinson, who collected the ball and threw it towards the stumps at the striker’s end.

But the inaccurate throw smacked into the batter’s foot, and Pattinson immediately threw up his hand as a sheepish apology.

Hughes was livid with the Victorian quick – the 32-year-old stared down the bowler as he limped off the pitch before throwing his helmet onto the deck and slumping onto the turf.

There was a three-minute delay as team medics rushed onto the ground before play continued.

Pattinson’s following delivery was a bouncer that Hughes ducked with ease.

Ouch!

Daniel Hughes 71* (283) continues to defy Victoria despite copping this throw from James Pattinson in the second session #SheffieldShieldpic.twitter.com/ChTkupId1n

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2021

Scenes at the MCG as James Pattinson hurls the ball back at Daniel Hughes in frustration and leaves him in considerable pain. Hughes not impressed.#SheffieldShield

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) November 8, 2021

The moment was reminiscent of Johnson’s infamous altercation with Indian captain Virat Kohli at the same venue during the 2014 Boxing Day Test, where the Australian quick threw the ball into the batter’s leg.

New South Wales ultimately suffered a 174-run defeat at the MCG, with Ashes hopeful Scott Boland claiming the seventh five-wicket haul of his first-class career.

The 32-year-old claimed 5/56 in a classy 29.3-over spell, trapping Blues tailender Trent Copeland LBW in the final session on day four to secure victory.

“We’ve had a really long pre-season. The ball had been coming out really well in the practice matches so I was really looking forward to the season getting started,” Boland said.

“There’s so many good fast bowlers around, it’s going to be hard for me to get a crack. All I can do is keep doing what I’ve been doing for the last few years and if the opportunity comes I’ll be really happy.”

Victorian coach Chris Rogers believes Boland is more than ready for the step up to Test level.

“I’ve been saying it privately to a few people but I wouldn’t swap him for just about anyone in the competition,” he said.

“He’s the finished article when it comes to his bowling, I think he’s taken another step, so if he was to be selected I’m sure he’d do a very fine job.”

New South Wales and Victoria will next face off on Friday, November 12 for a Marsh Cup match at the MCG.