Pattinson is Australia`s chief asset, says former pacers

The young bowler has been tipped to become Australia`s most destructive paceman.

Sydney: He has just played three Tests for his country, but the young fast bowler James Pattinson has already been tipped to become Australia`s most destructive paceman in future.

Former speedsters Damien Fleming and Geoff Lawson feels that Pattinson, during his short-little career, has shown that he has the potential to spearhead Australia`s bowling attack. "I think Patto (Pattinson) is our chief asset, has a genuine bouncer, gets awkward lift at 191cm, and is fast," Fleming said about the 21-year-old Victorian. "He is the most important member of the attack being just 21 and blessed with the physical attributes he has been given," the former Aussie quick was quoted as saying. Pattinson turned out to be the wrecker-in-chief for Australia once again as he snared four Indian wickets for 43 runs to bowl out the visitors` for a meagre 191 runs on the opening day of the second Test at the SCG. "Both Patto and Sidds (Peter Siddle) are in the batsman`s face without sledging but saying `I am going to get you`. "The thing I like about him is he has come back from injury and got wickets straight away," Fleming said about Pattinson, who has two man-of-the-match awards and 20 wickets from just three Tests to his name.” "It is hard to get your body right if you haven`t bowled a lot but he has got wickets everywhere.” "Pattinson has had a lot of back stress fractures but as a result he is four years into his core strength program, is very strong through the hips and legs," he added. Lawson too was impressed by Pattinson`s pace and aggression and was of the view that the lanky pacer is the new big thing in Australian cricket. "He (Pattinson) has found another gear, has even got up to that scary 150km/h pace at times," noted Lawson. "It`s important for him to realise that he can be more than a stock bowler and I think he has realised that," added the former Pakistan coach. PTI