'Recovering' Pattinson 'touch and go' for inclusion in first Test of return Ashes

Australian fast bowler James Pattinson, who is recovering after injuring his back during the Ashes, has said that he will be 'touch and go' and fit enough to force his way into Australia's improving pace attack for the first Test in the return Ashes series.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, six weeks after his Ashes campaign was brought to a premature end in England due to a 'shattering' back stress fracture, Pattinson will have scans to determine his possible comeback for the start of the next Ashes series on home soil.

The report further said that the Victorian bowler would begin running soon if he steps up his focus for the opening Test in Brisbane in late November as soon as he becomes free from the pain stress fractures caused him in England, although he needs to complete enough first-class spells cricket to prove he can fit back into the squad.

However, Pattinson expressed his confidence over his comeback for the first Test of the return Ashes, saying that he needs to increase his workload in the domestic Sheffield Shield cricket as he has not run and done any bowling yet.

According to Pattinson, he has found about from video analysis of his action that he needs to fix certain things to limit the stress on his back, adding that he also needs to learn how to treat his body better as he is still relatively young.

However, the right-arm paceman admitted that just breaking into the Australian attack on form is going to be a challenge, saying that the competition for spots among the quicks is as strong as it has been since he entered the national team system.