Australian paceman James Pattinson said Thursday he was ready to seize his unexpected chance in next week's historic New Zealand third Test following the retirement of Mitchell Johnson. The 25-year-old played the last of his 13 Tests against South Africa in March 2014 with his career stalled by chronic back and hamstring issues. Pattinson said he was surprised to be added to Australia's 13-man squad for the first-ever day-night Test in Adelaide, but with the sudden retirement of Johnson he is vying with Peter Siddle for a spot in the bowling attack.
"People who know me know that I go 100 miles an hour all the time... if I get injured I get injured," he told reporters. "I feel like I'm hitting the bat pretty hard and the ball's coming out quite well. "I've played two Sheffield 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 the way he bowls. He has developed a more side-on action with adjustments to his back foot in his delivery stride since the injuries. "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," he said. Johnson, 34, announced his immediate retirement from international cricket during the second Perth Test on Tuesday, saying he had lost the hunger, finishing as the fourth all-time wicket-taker for Australia with 313. The Adelaide Test gets underway on Friday, November 27.