Patto’s no-ball double trouble

AUSTRALIA’S speedster James Pattinson was left redfaced last night after twice dismissing Carlos Brathwaite, only to have the decisions reversed when it was revealed the bowler had overstepped the crease.

Pattinson was happy enough to take 4-72 in the Windies’ 271 as Australia claimed a first-innings lead of 280 runs.

But it could have been better if debutant Brathwaite had been bowled for 13 or caught at fine leg for 50, rather than caught at bowled by spinner Nathan Lyon for 59.

“Not many other bowlers have a problem with it so it’s something I have to fix up,” Pattinson said.

“I’ve got to try and get into a rhythm where I can stay behind the line and not push it.”

The Windies would have been 7-101 if Brathwaite’s wild swipe at a ball on middle stump had resulted in his dismissal rather than a reprieve because of Pattinson’s no-ball.

“I’ve always been pushing the line, ever since I’ve been playing cricket,” Pattinson said. “It’s momentum and stepping over the line. It’s something I have to work on because it cost us a bit of time today and a few runs.”

Pattinson said it was one of the most frustrating things that could happen on a cricket field.

“When you do it twice it’s up there,” he smiled.

Pattinson has claimed 0-68, 5-27 and 4-72 in one-and-ahalf Tests against the Windies after being out of the side for 21 months with back and hamstring injuries.

“I still feel like I’m not 100 per cent yet. When you do bowl no-balls it is in the back of your mind a little bit,” he said.

“So I’m still not running in as hard as I would like to be, because I’m sort of a bit wary of that front foot.

“I’ve just got to try to get a stage where I’m running in full steam and not worrying about overstepping. But apart from that I’m pretty happy with the way the ball is coming out.

“If that’s the worst it’s going to get … I’ll take that.”