Clarke has no issues with Pattinson’s aggression – Cricket News Update
Impressed by James Pattinson’s aggressive approach in the first of the three-match Test series against South Africa at Brisbane, Michael Clarke, the Australian skipper, does not want to curtail his pacer’s positive intent, as long as he stays within limits.
The 22-year-old pacer picked up five wickets in the Brisbane Test, the most for any bowler in the encounter. In a pursuit of bowling out South Africa in their second innings on the last day of the match, Pattinson bowled with a lot of aggression and picked up a couple of wickets. However, the match finished without a result.
The Victorian chirped at Graeme Smith, the South African captain, deliberately and induced a false stroke from the left-handed opener, who was caught at gully by Rob Quiney.
Over the years, the Australian fast bowlers have been popular all across the world for their sledging towards the opposition batsmen and Clarke has no problems with Pattinson doing it, unless or until he gets carried away.
“I think the aggression, the intent is a big part of the way we play our best cricket. I certainly don't want to stop that. But we understand there's a line and you can't overstep it. Simple as that,” said the middle-order batsman.
Pattinson made his way to international cricket last year and impressed one and all with his ability to bowl long spells at high pace. The right-arm seamer played a massive role in Australia’s whitewash over India last year.
Clarke believes that there are some very talented fast bowlers coming through the ranks of Sheffield Shield cricket but wants the pacers to deliver the goods against South Africa, who possess one of the strongest batting line-ups of the modern-day sport, in the presence of Smith, Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.
“Patto's enjoying being out there and playing, being on the park. I've said for a while we've got plenty of talent, it's now about performance with the ball,” he added. “This is a great test for our quicks. We're playing against a very good batting team. It's been a good start for us, especially after day one.”
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