James Pattinson announces retirement from international cricket ahead of the Ashes

Australia pacer James Pattinson has decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect. The announcement has come before the scheduled Ashes series, which is set to begin on December 8. The tearaway quick is 31 years old and had quite a few years of Test cricket left. The pacer was also touted to be on the side for the Ashes series due to his ability to bowl fast. Now it seems the Cricket Australia (CA) selectors has to find another substitute to fill the fast bowler’s slot in the team.

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The reason Pattinson gave to walk away from Test cricket is his recurring knee problem. It is well-documented fact that throughout his stop-start red-ball career, injuries have had a big say. The 31-year-old made his debut in the longest format in 2011 against New Zealand but owing to constant injuries related to his knee, he has played just 21 Tests in 10 years. During those Test matches, he has picked 81 wickets with four five-wicket hauls. The 31-year-old also played 15 ODIs and four T20Is and managed to pick 19 wickets across both formats.

In the past two years or so, the pacer formed a formidable bowling partnership with fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh.

Meanwhile, Pattinson recently flagged his intentions to walk away from the red-ball format if he was not selected for the team’s upcoming assignment. He also said that he wanted to enjoy and relax by playing domestic cricket. “The hardest part as you get older is that you want to try and enjoy your cricket as well. You put all your attention into playing cricket for Australia and at some stage, that finishes,” he told Cricket Australia’s website.

Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, and Mark Steketee are likely candidates to replace Pattinson in the Ashes squad.