Young Men in a Hurry
JAMES PATTINSON
James Pattinson reckons he was just about in heaven on the eve of the Pura Cup final, bowling in the MCG outdoor nets side by side Victoria's No.1 paceman Shane Harwood.
"There were balls whizzing around everywhere. It was a really keen, competitive session," he said.
Just back from Malaysia where he continued to build his reputation as one of Australia's foremost teenage allrounders, the 17-year-old schoolboy says it is dream to also represent Victoria, like big brother Darren ... and the sooner the better!
Pattinson was among a brace of guest bowlers, including the retired Mick Lewis, who worked with the senior squad on the eve of the championship final.
While his workload was restricted to six full-pace overs, after recent stress fractures which saw him miss almost a year's cricket, Pattinson said it was a great experience just being in and around the senior squad members.
"At one stage there was a thought of me not bowling at all this summer," he said.
"Dave Bailey, the Bushrangers' strength and conditioning coach) has pushed me along slowly but surely and it has been great to get back again.
"I'm looking forward to working closely with Dave, every day if possible over the winter months to keep strengthening my body."
Pattinson is in Year 12 at Haileybury College and says he needs to juggle his cricketing ambitions around his schoolwork.
He was one of the best performed among the Australian Under 19 boys, who finished equal fifth in the recent World Cup.
Shortly before going on tour, he was clocked at 138 km/h in a training camp in Brisbane, making him just about the fastest teenage bowler in the country.
Asked if he was faster than his brother, he said: "We're pretty similar at the moment, but I'm catching him!"
He was at the MCG last weekend to see Darren help finish off the Queenslanders.
He is very proud of his brother's achievements in the game so far and would like, too, to also play in England like Darren has done regularly in recent northern summers.
Pattinson says he comes from an English soccer background but ever since he can remember he has been trailing around after Darren watching him play and progress through the grades at Shepley Oval.
Debuting himself in Dandenong's first XI at 16, Pattinson says it has been a major thrill to play in the same teams as his brother.
"My brother has always been there for me and showed me the ropes and showed me the way to go in cricket," he said. "I've always looked up to him."
Asked about the Youth World Cup he said he says it was "an awesome experience."
"It's so great representing your country at any level," he says.
He made a genuine allround contribution, too, taking the new ball and batting well in the middle to late order.
"My batting came along over there, but I probably tried to get too many wickets and bowled too short," he said.
This winter he will again spend some time at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane on a part-time basis, working with some noted bowlers including Australia's fast bowling coach Troy Cooley.
"I can swing the new ball away but need to be more consistent," he said.
"Someone like Gerard Denton takes it away at pace really well. I'd like to be able to do that, too."
