England hints at wooing Australian pace bowler James Pattinson

James Pattinson’s decision to pull out of his Australian contract surprised everyone, but the bigger shock came when England began hinting the quick could bowl for them.

England are hinting James Pattinson could turn out for them after he walked away from the Australian Test side. Picture: Getty Images

James Pattinson’s decision to pull out of his Australian Test contract on the eve of the Ashes surprised everyone, but the bigger shock came when England began hinting the quick could bowl for them.

Pattinson’s brother Darren opened the bowling for England with James Anderson in his one and only Test. The Victorian — who is in negotiations to join Nottingham next winter — could obtain an English passport but has told management he has no intention of playing for them when he qualifies in 2023.

“I won’t be playing for England, that’s for sure,” he said on Thursday. “I signed as an overseas player, so I will go there and come back here and play the Big Bash with the Renegades and Victoria, see what it’s like playing cricket all year round — whether my body can handle it.

“Playing in England’s a little bit easier on your body, the wicket’s a bit softer — and you can see (that) with the longevity of their bowlers.”

Pattinson, 31, seemed certain to be given a chance for Australia over the summer before his surprise retirement, which The Australian revealed last month.

There was some hope he might change his mind if he had a good Sheffield Shield game. He will play against NSW in Friday’s game. NSW and Australian bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were said to be upset to lose Pattinson.

It is unusual — but not unprecedented — for a player to leave money on the table by pulling out mid-contract. Stuart MacGill and Ryan Harris retired from the game when cut down by injuries.

Pattinson grew tired of the battle with injury and the twilight-zone existence of always being on the cusp of selection.

“I’d like to think I’ve given everything for my country and I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.

Like Peter Siddle, he decided it was better to concentrate on first-class cricket. And, like Siddle, he is keen to enjoy English summers.

Pattinson will take his family to Nottinghamshire. The county is the home of white-ball specialist Dan Christian, and the one his brother was playing for when he got his England call-up.

He played just 21 Tests in a decade due to injuries. He took 26 wickets in his first five Tests. When fit there were few better.

“There’s only so much you can take when you’re on the cusp,” Pattinson said in the lead-up to the summer. “Before you know it, you’re 34 or 35 and you’ve missed a lot of cricket and you’ve missed opportunities elsewhere.

Another injury setback after the interview provoked his decision to withdraw.

Victorian teammate Will Pucovski is unavailable for the clash with NSW at the MCG due to a concussion scare following an incident in the nets.

Victoria put out a statement on Thursday confirming he could play in a third Shield game.

“Will is continuing to experience some mild symptoms consistent with concussion. From a medical perspective, Will is very well supported by the team around him to help manage his recovery,” Cricket Victoria’s Dr Trefor James said.

“Given his history, it’s obviously important that we allow whatever is time is required to make a full recovery.”

Cricket Victoria general manager Shaun Graf said Pucovski trained on Wednesday.

“It is great to have him back in the squad, even if only on light duties. That said, he won’t be available for selection for the Shield match starting at the MCG on Friday,” he said.

“In terms of his return to play, we are working towards a couple of scenarios. We’re currently in conversations with Cricket Australia regarding another Shield match in mid-November, plus we’ll also be hosting a state second XI match at the MCG later in the month. Ideally, he’d be able to play those two four-day matches and allow Australian selectors to make a judgment from there.”

Victoria coach Chris Rogers was cautious about Pucovski.

“He hasn’t started hitting the nets, I think that was the main concern,” he said. “It’s really difficult just to walk into one of these games unprepared. All the people who are in these conversations understand we have an immense talent on our hands and we want him to be playing for five to 10 years, so these are the decisions we are going to make in his best interests.”