Test quick James Pattinson was fast and dangerous in his comeback game from a foot injury in Victoria’s second-eleven clash with South Australia on Monday.
Pattinson claimed 3-25 from 10 overs in Adelaide as the home side was bowled out for 295.
Not only did the 21-year-old take two wickets in two balls in the first over after lunch, Pattinson struck Alex Ross on the elbow in the same over, causing the batsman to retire hurt.
Victoria coach Greg Shipperd says Pattinson may return to first-class action next Monday in Perth against Western Australia.
Pattinson, who played four Tests in December and January and was man of the match twice, is building his fitness base ahead of Australia’s Test tour of the West Indies in April.
“He’s done more than wicket damage. I think he might have broken some young fellow’s hand or forearm or both,” Shipperd told AAP.
“He has bowled very well today. He seems in good rhythm, he seems to be untroubled and so he ticks box number one to his recovery and comeback.
“He’s fine. He’s happy as Larry.”
Shipperd said the plan was for Pattinson to bowl 10 overs in each innings of this week’s four-day game.
“This is his first competitive bowl back. We think from here perhaps the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia,” Shipperd said.
“And then probably he’s available for one-dayers, five-dayers, anything after that I would have thought.”
Pattinson had changed his footwear in a bid to avoid a recurrence of the injury.
“Hopefully that’s going to contribute to him making sure that compression when you land is minimised and he can bowl happily for Test after Test and have no subsequent problem,” Shipperd said.
Pattinson made his Test debut in December 2011 and after four matches in quick succession he was on the sidelines.
Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard said last month he was conducting a review of the boots from official supplier Asics as part of an investigation into the foot problems suffered by young pacemen including Pattinson and Pat Cummins.
“We’re not suggesting it is the reason, but it is something that has to be reviewed,” Howard said.
