David Warner happy to see James Pattinson back for Boxing Day Test
David Warner says he cannot wait to play alongside “fierce competitor” and “firepower” bowler James Pattinson once again.
Australian opener David Warner says he cannot wait to play alongside “fierce competitor” and “firepower” bowler James Pattinson once again, as the Victorian paceman prepares for his first Boxing Day Test since 2015.
Pattinson was all-but confirmed to come into the Australian side for injured quick Josh Hazlewood over the weekend, after being 12th man during the 296-run romp over New Zealand in the first Test in Perth.
The 29-year-old quick has been in strong form for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield this season, taking 13 wickets from his past three matches.
Pattison last played for Australia during The Ashes in England in August, claiming five wickets from two Tests.
“He’s a fierce competitor, he’s got a lot of up-and-go about him and that’s what we love,” Warner said of Pattinson.
“He’s been like that since day one, even when he made his debut. He’s just a great, great competitor and he adds a great string to our bow.
“When you look at what he did for us in England as well, it’s all about for him being consistent and playing back-to-back games.
“He’s chuffed to get back out there and being Boxing Day in front of his home crowd, his mates will be out there to support him.”
Pattinson had a shaky start to this summer, being suspended for Australia’s first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba after making an alleged homophobic slur during a Sheffield Shield match.
However, Warner said Pattison had put that behind him and was fired up to return to the fold.
“He was gutted by that decision,” Warner said.
“He knows that he did the wrong thing and he copped it on the chin. For him it’s about keep doing what he’s doing now, working his backside off to get back on the park.
“I’m looking forward to playing alongside him again.”
Warner said he was expecting a response from New Zealand after the lopsided result in Perth but Australia would be focusing on their usual plan.
“We’re trying to replicate what we did in Perth,” Warner said.
“We always talk about in Australia that you’ve got to bat big and bat once. If we can try and improve on that from first innings last time (making 416) it will put us in a great position. But we know here at the MCG it can be quite challenging. You probably need to bat real big.”
Warner has warned New Zealand they risk wasting any life the MCG may offer if they persist with so-called “Bodyline” tactics on Boxing Day.
The Aussies arrived in Melbourne on Sunday with Warner adamant the batsmen must have clear plans for New Zealand’s short-pitch tactics when the second Test gets underway.
While the hosts won the day-night Test in Perth, the Australian batsmen were often caught out by bouncers and on the pull shot.
Captain Tim Paine said afterwards it felt like it was “going to be a bit of Bodyline” for the remainder of the summer.
Melbourne could, however, shape as a different contest.
The pitch is unlikely to offer the same pace as the Optus Stadium wicket, particularly given the Black Caps’ bowlers were at their dangerous best under lights.
But curators have vowed to maintain some life in the MCG pitch, after it was roundly criticised in recent years for being too slow and batsman-friendly.
“If they’re talking about it being a green wicket and they bowl short, then you are probably wasting it aren’t you?” said Warner, who scored a hundred in his last Boxing Day Test.
“For us it’s just another game and if Wags (Kiwi paceman Neil Wagner) does what he does normally, then we just have to play it accordingly.”
New Zealand said after Perth they would consider the Melbourne wicket before deciding if they would continue with the tactic.
Regardless, working out how to play Wagner’s short stuff is a priority for Australia.
All of Australia’s top six fell to short balls in the second innings in Perth, with four of those – including Warner — caught playing the pull shot.
New Zealand’s bowlers differ significantly from what Australia’s batsmen are used to when facing their own pace cartel.
Most of the Aussies bowl at around 145km/h, whereas the likes of Wagner and Tim Southee average closer to around 130km/h.
Wagner’s height is also an issue. While Australia’s first-choice pace battery are each 190cm or over, left-armer Wagner is around 180cm.
“For us it’s usually ducking a ball at 150km/h. It is a little bit awkward with the height he (Wagner) comes from,” Warner said.
“It’s at a pace where you think you genuinely can play at it, then you’ve got enough time to get out of the way.
“With the field they set, you can play the percentages. It’s very difficult to try and score. You can score if it’s in the right line.
“From a left-hander’s point of view coming around the wicket, you’ve got so many catchers but you’ve got no power to get onto the ball from this sort of angle.
“It’s just a matter of biding your time and if one comes off your hip you can try and rotate it. You’ve got to have in the back of your mind what the game plan is.”
HERALD SUN, AAP
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