Paine heaps praise on ‘awesome’ Pattinson
Australia captain Tim Paine lavished praise on fiery seamer James Pattinson for lighting the spark that led to an emphatic series-sealing victory over New Zealand yesterday.
Pattinson, who replaced the injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s fierce pace attack, crashed through New Zealand’s top order with a three-wicket burst in nine deliveries in the morning, all but ending the Black Caps’ hopes of saving the match.
He finished with a six-wicket haul in Australia’s 247run victory on a much scrutinised Melbourne Cricket Ground wicket in the first innings, with spinner Nathan Lyon taking 4-81
It was a fine return for the 29-year-old Pattinson who was suspended for a match in the lead-up to the earlier two-Test series against Pakistan for an offensive sledge at an opponent when playing a Sheffield Shield game for Victoria.
He was subsequently left out of the Test team as Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc combined with aplomb in the 2-0 series defeat of Pakistan.
“We know the quality of ‘Patto’, we’ve said for a long time that we’re very lucky to have high quality bowlers on the sidelines such as him,” Paine said. “He was awesome today in particular, but he also bowled superbly in the first innings and built pressure with Pat at times.
“Then today when it was his turn to step up he provided the team with the spark as he does and his energy around our group is infectious.”
Having thrashed New Zealand by 296 runs in Perth, Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and will head to Sydney looking to whitewash Kane Williamson’s team.
Williamson said his team need to mirror the fighting spirit of century-maker Tom Blundell if they are to bounce back from the thrashing.
The opener was the last man out after compiling a battling 121.
“Obviously it was hard work out there, the task was immense. But you look at some small positives... that was a truly fantastic innings,” Williamson said.
“He led the way and it is important that we all take something from that.
“Being better in all departments is very important. It’s a quick turnaround [before Sydney] and I think the adjustment is mental also.”