Pattinson set for recall at expense of Siddle

James Pattinson, whose older brother Darren played a solitary Test for England against South Africa in 2008 at Headingley, is poised to be recalled by Australia for the third Test today. It is most likely that Peter Siddle will drop out.

Pattinson bowled with impressive pace and hostility in the first Test at Edgbaston, and was unlucky to claim only two wickets. He was left out of the second Test, with Australia managing the workload of their pacemen. Before this series, Pattinson’s previous Test was in February 2016; he has suffered five stress fractures since, and Australia always planned that he would be likely to miss Tests this summer.

The recall of Pattinson will also strengthen Australia’s lower-order batting. He has a Test average of 29.

During his Test here, Darren, the older by 11 years, recorded two for 96, claiming Hashim Amla as his first Test wicket. His selection was controversial: he had only played 11 first-class games, and had not been based permanently in England since leaving Grimsby aged six.

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood expected to retain their positions, left-armer Mitchell Starc may be left out for the third Test in a row. Starc has been omitted with Justin Langer, the head coach, prioritising bowlers who can maintain control. “We haven’t got a team yet,” Tim Paine, Australia’s captain, said. “We’ll probably announce it at the toss. We’re looking at a bowling change at this stage.”