'Hopefully this time next year, I will be at my best' - James Pattinson indirectly warns India

Australia seamer James Pattinson returned to play Tests after a few months and he delivered right away, picking six wickets for 69 runs in the second match in Melbourne against New Zealand that the hosts won by 247 runs to clinch the three-game series. The 29-year-old Pattinson is in good nick with the ball and picked nine wickets in two games in the domestic circuit recently.

Pattinson played a crucial role in the Boxing Day Test by dismissing some of the Kiwis’ top batsmen in both innings. He took the wicket of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson in both innings besides those of BJ Watling, Tom Latham and veteran Ross Taylor. He had almost got Taylor in the first innings too but the DRS verdict went in favour of the New Zealand batsman.

James Pattinson now has done something special. Almost a year ahead of his team’s home Test series against India, the paceman has issued an indirect warning against the No.1 team. The bowler, who was not part of the Test series at home last year that Australia lost to India 1-2, said he would be at his best when the Asian side goes Down Under for the four-Test series starting next November.

James Pattinson thinks he is still not at his best

“I reckon I’m still a year away from being at my best and trusting my body and being able to charge in to be at my best. It’s a work in progress – I’m still 29, so I’ve got plenty of time. Hopefully, at this time next year I’ll be at my best,” Pattinson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

James Pattinson, who has played five Tests against India and taken 20 wickets at an average of below 26, was part of the Kangaroo squad that had thrashed India 4-0 in the Test series of 2011-12. He played in two matches of that series and picked 11 wickets.

He had rattled India’s heavyweight but ageing batting line-up in that series with his pace and could be a key member of the Australian pace battery that will go all out to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy that Australia lost to India at home for the first time.

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