‘Massive shock’: Australian teammates caught off guard by James Pattinson retirement

The abrupt retirement of Victorian paceman James Pattinson took several of his former Australian teammates by surprise.

James Pattinson of Australia celebrates after Tim Paine of Australia stumped Henry Nicholls of New Zealand from the bowling of Nathan Lyon of Australia on day 4 of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, December 29, 2019. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour)

Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon said the abrupt retirement of Victorian seamer James Pattinson came as a “massive shock” ahead of the 2021/22 Ashes.

On Thursday, Pattinson confirmed he would retire from all forms of international cricket after representing Australia on 40 occasions over the past decade.

The 31-year-old finishes his Test career with 81 wickets in 21 matches, averaging 26.33 with ball in hand.

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Pattinson’s international career was plagued by injury, which has repeatedly kept him sidelined since bursting onto the scene in 2011.

The Victorian had received a Cricket Australia contract back in April, and almost certainly would have featured in the Ashes squad if available.

Speaking to reporters from Hurstville Oval on Thursday, Lyon conceded he and several teammates did not anticipate Pattinson to call it quits less than two months from the first Ashes Test at the Gabba.

“Massive shock,” Lyon said. “Caught a lot of us off guard with that.

“All the best to Patto and his family for the new chapter in his life. I’ve absolutely loved sharing the changeroom with him and representing Australia together.

“He’s one of those guys that you love playing cricket with, and he’s going to be sorely missed.

“He’s a talented cricketer and his record speaks for itself … he’s one of the great competitors.”

Lyon played alongside Pattinson for his Test debut in December 2011, when the young quick rattled New Zealand’s top-order with a blistering spell of 5/27 at the Gabba.

The pair also played together in Pattinson’s last Test match — a 279-run victory over New Zealand at the SCG in January 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

James Pattinson played most of his 21 Test matches alongside Nathan Lyon. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Pattinson, who will miss next week’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales due to injury, explained his decision to retire in a statement on Wednesday.

“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,” he 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.”

Pattinson’s retirement opens the door for Test hopefuls Mark Steketee, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott to potentially feature in the Ashes squad.

The speedster will continue to represent Victoria at domestic level.

Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins said in a statement: “James continues to be a fantastic ambassador for Australian and Victorian cricket and we congratulate him on a fine career at international level.

“Throughout his career, he has consistently challenged the very best batters in the world.

“James’ journey has included injury hurdles and setbacks, which he has shown the determination to fight his way back from. He always took great pride in representing his country and was the ultimate competitor every time he stepped on the field for Australia.”

Lyon suffered a mild concussion while fielding during a three-day intra-squad trial match in Sydney this week.

The 33-year-old was withdrawn from the remainder of the fixture as a precaution, but will still feature in next week’s Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at Drummoyne Oval, which gets underway on Wednesday.

James Pattinson played his last Test match in January 2020.

Aussie selector ‘really sad’ at Pattinson reveal

Speaking to SEN Sportsday, new Australian selector Tony Dodemaide admitted he was saddened by Pattinson’s retirement.

Dodemaide, who served as Cricket Victoria chief executive for several years, said on Wednesday: “I was really sad when I read that coming across the wires in the last hour or so.

“As a young buck coming through, he was such an exciting prospect, but his back was always an issue in those early days.

“I think in the end, those injuries have cruelled him. He’s had dreadful luck over the time.

“When he’s been playing well and fit, he’s been so exciting to see in those teams because he really does intimidate the opposition.

“At his best, that is what was on offer, but there’s also been so many frustrations he’s had, including a really serious back operation a couple of years ago.

“He’s still got some cricket left in him, but that I just think that extra dimension of doing the work and putting his body through all of that again, it sounds like it’s been a bit much.”