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Critics merciless over Pattinson Test role

Chloe Saltau
July 23, 2008
Darren Pattinson of England bowls as umpire Daryl Harper looks on.

Darren Pattinson of England bowls as umpire Daryl Harper looks on.
Photo: Getty Images

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ALMOST as rapidly as Darren Pattinson was turned into a Test cricketer for England - a development that stunned him as much as anyone - the Doveton-raised roofer has been turned into a scapegoat.

Pattinson last night was back in Nottingham, recovering from the "harrowing experience" that was his Test debut, having unwittingly put countless English noses out of joint and landed at the centre of a controversy that threatens to consign him to cricket trivia.

The 29-year-old paceman had been playing county cricket on his British passport between Victorian seasons when the England selectors called. It ought to have been a boyhood fantasy, but instead the Australian's sudden elevation to England colours was greeted with a level of vitriol that dismayed his teammates at Dandenong Cricket Club and caused Bushrangers coach Greg Shipperd to urge Pattinson not to let the experience damage his career.

To make matters worse, England captain Michael Vaughan said in the aftermath of his country's 10-wicket second-Test thrashing by South Africa that Pattinson's selection from obscurity looked "confused" and had affected team harmony.

"We didn't feel as much of a unit as we did the week before," Vaughan said.

"I think Darren's been given a lot of criticism and it's not his fault. He turned up and tried his guts out and at times bowled some good spells. I felt sorry for him. He's not been in the set-up and didn't know anyone. And we didn't know him, so it was very difficult for him. I haven't heard that it affected the other players in the dressing-room but we didn't play as a unit."

Pattinson knew just one England player, Notts teammate Stuart Broad.

Even on his way to Headingley, Pattinson thought he was selected as a precaution, and he was not involved in pre-game meetings.

He was even less prepared for the savage reaction to his selection after only 11 first-class games, ahead of squad member Chris Tremlett and Ashes heroes Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, when swing bowler Ryan Sidebottom was ruled out on the morning of the second Test.

Pattinson's British passport evidently was not sufficient proof of his Englishness, for brother James has played junior cricket for Australia and his dad had called him a proud Aussie.

Former England captain Graham Gooch said the selection could devalue international cricket, effectively accusing the Australian of opportunism.

Nasser Hussain said it was "just wrong", and the Guardian newspaper branded the call-up a fiasco and is running a poll on whether he should play again.

"He knew there would be concerns that he was a product of the Australian cricket culture, but he was hardly going to say: 'I'm not going to turn up, thanks very much'," said his manager, Gerard Sholly. "It was a pretty harrowing experience for him."

Victoria, which must now register Pattinson as an overseas player, has reassured the popular fast bowler of his future with the Bushrangers, for whom he debuted two seasons ago. "They have taken a punt on him and he's held his own in the game. The English team has come up short and there is a backlash, and that's really unfortunate," said Shipperd.

While Pattinson, who, incidentally, was far from disgraced with 2-95 from 30 overs, has done his best not to read the worst of the criticism, his wife is said to be upset by it and his Dandenong mates are aggrieved on his behalf.

"He's a big boy, we all know that, but I wouldn't have thought it was a very pleasant experience for him," said coach Warren Ayres.

"It all happened so quickly. He would be disappointed if it ended like that, but they are the decisions they make and he's been caught up in it. It's not his fault.

"He was just over there playing; he didn't go over there to play for England, it's just that he did so well. He's copping it left, right and centre, for the wrong reasons. I know some of the other players probably got their noses out of joint but for us (at Dandenong) it's a great thing."

HOW THE POMS BASHED PATTO

Representing England is more than just cricket, more than just a pay-packet … Can you switch from being a proud Australian to a passionate Englishman overnight? GRAHAM GOOCH

The selection of Darren Pattinson, the Dandenong Demon/Dummy — we're not quite sure yet … rendered (Andrew) Flintoff's comeback incidental. VIC MARKS, The Observer

When he takes seven against the Aussies at Headingley next year I shall be leading the calls for (chief selector Geoff ) Miller's knighthood. Until then I remain confused. MARKS again

The amount of money the ECB have pushed into young bowlers … are we saying the young bowlers aren't good enough? I haven't seen him bowl . . He has taken his chance. If he deserves it I'm not sure, but good luck to him. STEVE HARMISON

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