James Pattinson lying in pain and battling for motivation before confirming retirement from Tests

Those who were close to James Pattinson were not too shocked by his retirement from Test cricket, but his loss will still be huge.

James Pattinson has left his baggy green days behind. Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images

James Pattinson, at his best, was “epic to watch”, according to former Test opener Chris Rogers, who wasn’t shocked when the firebrand fast bowler announced his international retirement.

Rogers, a Test teammate of Pattinson and now Victorian coach, had seen him battle for motivation during a long Melbourne winter in lockdown “like a caged lion” when no games could be played.

Pattinson, who took 81 wickets in his 21 Tests, is set to keep playing for the Vics and could be back in action at the MCG in a Sheffield Shield match against NSW staring on November 5 pending his recovery from a niggling knee injury.

But revealing Pattinson had to play in pain “a lot” after a career full of serious injuries and operations, including a spinal fusion in 2017, Rogers said the 31-year-old quick was content with his decision to focus on just playing for the Vics.

“He’s been through so much in his career, he has to play in pain a lot of the time and that wears you down,” Rogers said.

James Pattinson struggled for motivation during lockdown. Picture: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP

“We’ve known for a little while. We’ve observed him closely over this pre-season. When you’ve got a big caged lion in the depths of winter in the indoor centre trying to get motivated you can sense that something was a little bit amiss.

“When you’ve got that kind of personality, doing a pre-season is not what they want. Having played no games for a long time, that’s the thing that gets him out of bed.”

Rogers said “I doubt it” when asked if there was any chance of a change of mind from Pattinson.

Former Test quick Peter Siddle, a close friend who played with Pattinson at club, state and Test level, said it was “sad” his body had let him down.

“He’s like a little brother to me,“ Siddle said.

“It’s sad he’s pulled it early, but the body sometimes catches up with you.

Peter Siddle said James Pattinson was epic to watch. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“Hopefully, he can get over the little niggle he’s got at the moment and get back out on the field because he’s one of the most exciting players when he’s up and going.”

Rogers recalled an Ashes performance form Pattinson in England in 2013 as the best evidence of what he could bring to the table.

“I can remember him bowling the first spell … it was like a caged lion being let loose, just so much energy,” he said.

“Sometimes he found it hard to control but when he did it was epic to watch.”

Rogers said Pattinson would continue to bring that energy for the Vics when he got back on the park.

“Every time he plays for us we improve dramatically as a side,” he said.

“The way he lifts people around him, his teammates, is fantastic. We are looking to have him play as much as possible.”