The 25-year-old left-handed batsman Kurtis Patterson, who has been in sublime form, is elated after Cricket Australia’s (CA) selectors rang him to join the Test squad. Patterson’s purple patch has strengthened his case to be introduced in the Test set-up for the two-match series against Sri Lanka.
“I feel at the top of my game, to be honest. I feel like I’m hitting the ball as well as I ever have. Which makes this addition to the squad (a) really happy (one) for me,” Patterson told Cricket.com.au
The ‘pink-ball’ specialist Patterson smashed twin centuries in Hobart for the Cricket Australia XI against visiting Sri Lanka. Eventually, it paved the way for his Test selection.
The promising Test rookie Patterson smashed 157 and 102 in two innings respectively which has immediately earned him a much-awaited call-up.
Patterson enjoys to bat in Brisbane:
To talk about his affair with the pink ball, Patterson had played a spectacular role as the Welshman by smashing a fine hundred during Australia’s coveted first-class competition Sheffield Shield in Brisbane.
“I like batting (at the Gabba). I think the last pink-ball game here I had some success, and we had a good win. It’s just a great venue to bat. There’s pace and bounce in it, but there’s also value for shots,” Patterson reminisced.
Moreover, Patterson has impressed CA National Selector Trevor Hohns with his batting prowess.
The New South Wales batsman Patterson is looking forward to leaving an impact in the impending Test series against the Islanders.
“You want to be picked when you feel like you’re playing well. And I feel like I am at the moment,” Patterson said.
Patterson sets focus on ‘gaps’ to score runs:
On the other side, Australian middle-order line-up looked fragile, and a batsman like Patterson could set up in a bid to set the tempo before leading his side to transformation.
“Chances are they’re going to have slips in for most of the game. So, there’s always going to be gaps in the field,” Patterson asserted.
Earlier, Australia had named the 13-member Test squad in which Patterson didn’t find a mention. Interestingly, the group includes as many as seven batsmen in the line-up. Thus, it would give a serious headache to Aussie skipper Tim Paine.
With pink ball Test all set to commence from January 24 at Gabba in Brisbane, it would be a surreal moment for Patterson to find whether he would make it to the eleven to don the Baggy Green.
“Obviously there’s some hard work to be done this week. But if I get the opportunity this week I feel like I’ll be ready for it,” he concluded.
Patterson has also heaped praise on New South Wales Blues‘ coach Beau Casson for unconditional support.