Men’s Ashes 2021-22 – James Pattinson retires from international cricket as Ashes hopes slip away

The fast bowler did not feel he would be able to get himself up to Test level

Pattinson, 31, has not played a Test match since January 2020 against New Zealand. He was expected to play a part in last summer’s series against India but fractured his ribs after slipping at home and was unavailable to play. Injury has ruled him out of Victoria’s first Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales in Sydney next week.

“Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end I haven’t had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season,” Pattinson said. “If I was to be part of the Ashes I would need to do myself and my team-mates justice. I didn’t want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 percent fit and ready to go at any time. That would not be fair to myself or the team.

“It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria, helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family.”

Pattinson played just 21 Tests in 10 years after debuting in 2011. His career has been ravaged by injury with multiple stress fractures in his back leading to serious spinal surgery in 2017. He fought his way back to play in the 2019 Ashes. The fiery quick took 81 wickets at 26.33, with an impressive strike-rate of 48.90. He took four five-wickets including two in his first two Tests against New Zealand in 2011.

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