Victoria’s Test seamer James Pattinson gave Western Australia’s batsmen a thorough examination on Friday in an excellent warm-up for next week’s first Test against South Africa in Brisbane.
Western Australia reached 5-76 at stumps on day two, an overall lead of 105 after the Bushrangers were dismissed for 219 at tea on an MCG pitch offering assistance to the pace bowlers.
Tom Triffitt is 20 not out and Adam Voges is unbeaten on eight.
Pattinson claimed 2-19 off 10 overs, as former Test batsman Marcus North narrowly avoided a nasty blow to the head while Mitchell Marsh simply had no clue against the 22-year-old tearaway.
“I had a bit of trouble against Tassie (taking 0-89 and 2-24 last week) on a flatter wicket, but I always thought I was there or thereabouts,” Pattinson said.
“I just found some rhythm in that last spell and felt pretty good.
“I’ve had a good preparation leading into the first Test and I’m just looking forward to, hopefully, getting these five wickets pretty early tomorrow morning.
“When you’re in a rhythm like that you don’t really think about speed, it just sort of happens.
“When I try and bowl fast it never really happens. It’s funny, it just clicks.
“It felt like I was hitting Wadey’s (wicketkeeper Matthew Wade’s) gloves pretty hard.”
Victoria had resumed on 0-21 in reply to the Warriors’ 248 and the home side’s 219 was boosted by a timely 65 from No.10 Clint McKay.
McKay (2-20) followed up his career-best score by claiming the early wickets of debutant Sam Whiteman for a duck and Test batsman Mike Hussey for three in the Warriors’ second innings.
Jayde Herrick removed opener Marcus Harris (29) caught at second slip with the score on 47 and two runs later Test quick Pattinson struck a double blow.
North (13) fended a rising delivery to third slip which in Pattinson’s words “took off” and Marsh was bowled for a third-ball duck.
Earlier, Western Australia’s fifth-gamer Jason Behrendorff took a career-best 4-29.
The 22-year-old left-arm quick’s victims included Victoria’s top order of Chris Rogers (43), Peter Handscomb (13) and Cameron White (duck).
McKay’s 65 came off 51 balls and included six fours and two sixes, which were both off the bowling of spinner Michael Beer.
Pattinson (18) and fellow tailender McKay added 83 runs for the ninth wicket after the Bushrangers had been 8-135.
Behrendorff said he felt the game was evenly poised.
“If we can get (to the) 200 mark, I think it will be a very competitive game,” he said.
