Pattinson aims for ODIs
Paceman targeting speedy return from foot injury
Last Updated: February 1, 2012 7:58am
James Pattinson: On the road to recovery
Fast bowler James Pattinson has targeted a return to the Australia side for this month's Commonwealth Bank Series.
Pattinson announced himself as a star of the future earlier this summer with 25 wickets in four Tests at an average of 18.12.
However has had to sit out the final two matches against India after scans showed he was developing the early stages of a stress fracture in his left foot.
The 21-year-old, though, has now revealed the injury had healed quicker than predicted.
"The recovery is going really well at the moment. I am about three weeks away from coming back," Pattinson told Cricket Australia's Facebook fans page.
"I've had no pain in my foot since I've got back. The first couple of days it was a bit tender and sore but now it's fine. I haven't felt it for almost two and a half weeks.
"I am back running and doing some bowling so hopefully I will be back about halfway through the one-day series.
"Hopefully we get into the finals and I will be right for them."
Sidelines
Pattinson will sit out Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia this week but is hoping to slot back into the Australia team for the one-dayer against India at Adelaide Oval on February 12.
"That is the aim. I think they said to me last week it'd probably be three to four weeks," he said.
"I'm just trying to get back and do everything I can to get back and play in the one-dayers."
Pattinson was disappointed to miss the last half of the Test series against India after being a key player for two matches.
But the right-armer was grateful for the chance to prove to himself and selectors that he could perform at the highest level.
"I could've still been playing in Victoria, hadn't established myself and then got injured there," he said.
"That would have put me right back with a lot of the other blokes but it was good to just get the opportunity and prove I can match it at that level.
"It's going to help my case when I'm back fit and trying to get back into the team."
The one-day tri-series starts on Sunday with Australia and India facing off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
