Darren Lehmann wants an Australian pacer's inclusion for Ashes 2019

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has been away from international cricket for a minimum of two years now but former Australia coach Darren Lehmann still sees in him a bright prospect for this year’s Ashes. Even though the primary focus of the cricketing world is on the ICC World Cup starting in England on May 30, interest is also seen over the marquee series between two traditional cricketing powers scheduled in August-September.

Pattinson, who plays for Victoria in domestic cricket, last played an international game in February 2016 which was a Test match against New Zealand. Overall, he has appeared in 17 Tests, 15 ODIs and four T20Is and has taken 89 wickets in all. He made his Ashes debut in 2013 in England when Lehmann was the coach and the former Australian batsman wants to see him making a return in this year’s series as well.

“Pattinson’s the one I really want to see go. His record is unbelievable (in) County Cricket… so I think he does go. He’s one bowler that can really perform (in England),” Lehmann told Macquarie Sports Radio, Sydney, Australia.

“As long as he’s fit. He’s coming back from injury, as long he plays the last bit of Shield cricket and gets through I’ve got him in my touring squad.”

In 2017, Pattinson succeeded in County Division II

The 28-year-old Pattinson has bowled with pace and accuracy whenever he has got a chance to play. His latest stint with injury came during the Big Bash League (BBL) when he hurt his abdomen but still played a few games for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. In 2017, he took 32 wickets in five games for Northamptonshire in Division Two of County Championships.

The right-arm pacer later said that he had benefited from inputs from his teammate Stuart Broad on that stint in England. “(Broad) was saying that he doesn’t try and swing the ball at all in England – it just naturally swings and he just worries about trying to put it on that length,” the right-armer mentioned.

Pattinson played his first first-class game last November after a while since he underwent a back surgery. Representing Brisbane Heat in the BBL, he also revealed recently that he is keen to play the upcoming Ashes.

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