Victorian quick James Pattinson is ready to hit the third Test in Adelaide at "100 miles an hour" if he wins a spot in the Australian line-up.
The 25-year-old played the last of his 13 Tests against South Africa in March 2014, and has worked hard to overcome chronic back and hamstring issues since.
Pattinson admits he was surprised to be added to the 13-man squad for the historic day-night Test but with the sudden retirement of Mitch Johnson, he finds himself vying with Peter Siddle for a spot in the Australian attack for the series-decider against New Zealand.
"People who know me know that I go 100 miles an hour all the time ... if I get injured I get injured," Pattinson said on Thursday.
"All I can do is prepare the best I can ... go out there and whatever happens happens.
"I feel like I'm hitting the bat pretty hard and the ball's coming out quite well.
"I've played two Shield games now and bowled over 40 overs in both, so I'm feeling good, I'm relaxed and really looking forward to it."
Pattinson's patience has been tested by his lengthy rehabilitation from back stress fractures and hamstring injuries, which forced changes to his bowling action.
A more side-on action and adjustments to his back foot in his delivery stride were only subtle but took a long time to bed down during long sessions in the practice nets.
"At the start it was pretty hard work, having to make those changes, and I think a big part of it was getting back into a game and being my normal self again without worrying about my action," he said.
"I found that probably the hardest thing but that improves with the amount of cricket that you play.
"I've managed to have a few good months of solid cricket, so I'm feeling really confident and relaxed with where I'm at."
Share
