Australia paceman James Pattinson is targeting back-to-back tests in the upcoming series against Pakistan and New Zealand as he savours a rare run of fitness heading into the home summer, reports Reuters.
The 29-year-old’s successful return during the Ashes in England was a feel-good story for Australian cricket and a triumph of perseverance for an outstanding bowler restricted to six tests in the past five years.
Pattinson was relieved to head home at the end of the series without having to contemplate another long spell of rehab. “When I got back from England I sort of didn’t know what to do because I’d usually be nursing a stress fracture or something like that,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
“I have been injury-free for the most part of a year now. The body is feeling good,” he said.
“I think the next process for me, if I do get a chance in the test arena, is to try and play more back-to-back cricket now.” Pattinson is expected to be named in the test squad, set to be released this week, for the two-match series against Pakistan starting in Brisbane on Nov. 21.