Pattinson eager for Trent Bridge return
JAMES Pattinson is loving life at Trent Bridge – and wants to return after the Champions Trophy.
The Australian fast bowler has been a great success at Nottinghamshire so far, taking 20 County Championship wickets at an average of 11 and also claiming 11 wickets in the One Day Cup with an economy rate of 5.54.
He was set to end his stint early due to a call-up to the Australian Champions Trophy squad, though he has indicated he will be back to see out his deal, which runs to the end of June, as soon as the Aussies are either out of or win the tournament, which ends at the Oval on June 18.
That would mean he can theoretically play two more County Championship matches – and he hopes to play in the One-Day Cup final on July 1 should Notts get there.
Pattinson said: “It’s been great. I’ve loved every minute and I’ll be back in a few weeks. Hopefully I’ve done all right for Notts and then I can come back and we have some success,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the Champions Trophy and then fingers crossed more Championship cricket. I’m contracted to come back. Barring injury, I’ll be back for Championship games and hopefully a few more one-dayers, even a final at Lord’s.
“Hopefully I can come back and help them get back to Division One as well. That’s a big goal of mine.”
While Pattinson has shone with the ball, he’s impressed with the bat too. The 27-year-old is third in the Division Two batting averages with an average of 80, including two fifties. Older brother Darren played for Notts for a number of seasons and now Pattinson is hoping he can do the same.
He added: “Hopefully I’ll be back in years to come. I’ve loved my time here and with how close I’ve become to the Notts boys, it would be difficult to play anywhere else.
“Peter Moores is a great coach. He’s got a wealth of experience. He keeps the boys relaxed. For me it was handy knowing a few guys before coming here.
“I’ve worked with some great players like Stuart Broad. I look up to him quite a lot.
“It’s been great to work with him and pick his brain.”