James Pattinson’s bowling has been in good form this season, boasting a bowling average of just 20.94 and an impressive strike rate of 7.24. Most impressively, he has picked up five-wickets in an innings on five occasions, including a match winning five-wicket haul against Warwickshire on September 1st.

The Yorkshireman, who turns 27 this week, has also forged a strong opening partnership with Jack Leach, averaging 43.80 in 14 first-class matches together. Add in the form of Sam Curran, Liam Plunkett and Joe Root, and Yorkshire have an exciting looking batting lineup.

Fantastic Bowling

Pattinson’s bowling has always been an important aspect of his game, and he has worked hard to develop it as much as possible. After impressing as a teenager, with a bowling average of 17.52 and 27 wickets in 2013, he began to rack up the miles on his bowling arm. In 2014, he underwent a lengthy process of rehabilitation, which included a trip to America to work with the renowned Brad Gilbert, who helped improve Steve McQueen’s bowling in the 1976 movie Silent Game.

He was eventually able to return to bowling, and his performances rewarded his effort, with a career-best bowling average of 22.94 and an incredible number of wickets in the 2016 County Championships. He finished the season as the fourth ranked bowler in the country, with 52 wickets in just 13 matches.

In 2017, his bowling form dipped slightly, with an average of 23.66 and a paltry strike rate of 6.41, although he did manage to claim a five-wicket haul against Leicestershire at Scarborough on August 2nd. However, that was his only notable performance, as Yorkshire endured a poor season, with only one victory against a weak Somerset side.

Tall Poppy Seeds

The Yorkshireman’s height might not be helping him on the pitch, but it certainly is making a difference off it. Having risen above six feet, he has been able to take full advantage of his size, dominating the off-spin bowling market, and earning himself a place on the England Performance Programme.

Yorkshire have been pleased with his efforts, and he was rewarded for his performances in the 2017 County Championships, with a place on the England Performance Programme, which provides elite players with opportunities to improve their game. While some players might shy away from this accolade, as it could lead to more media attention, Pattinson should be proud to represent his country. Heading into the new year, it is important to note that Yorkshire will need to continue producing talent at an alarming rate if they are to continue dominating the cricket world.

Focused On Cricket

The Yorkshireman is a very focused individual, and he rarely spends his time away from cricket. Aside from his wedding celebrations last year, he has concentrated on his cricket, including a stint in the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals in 2017. He has also been an important part of Yorkshire’s success on the football pitch, and they won the Challenge Cup in 2018, with the 29-year-old as one of the key players.

While he has been able to take his cricket to the next level through hard work and dedication, he still has a long way to go before he can stake a claim for being one of the truly greats. With the opportunity to work with some of the best spin bowling coaches in the world, the future is very much in his hands.

Strong All-Round Package

Apart from his bowling, James Pattinson is an all-round athlete, who can also bat a bit and field well. While his batting average of 43.80 in first-class cricket is nothing to write home about, he can be a dangerous prospect when in form, as shown by his score of 89 against Warwickshire last year.

However, he is best served as an all-rounder, with a bowling average around 20, and the ability to field for long periods, meaning he could play a key role in the field for longer than other similar players, allowing him to have a greater impact on games. With England’s limited-overs attack looking vulnerable, and the world’s second-best T20 side, the Bangalore Royal Challengers, on the lookout for English T20 batsmen, Yorkshire will need all the all-rounders they can get.

Final Thoughts

  • James Pattinson’s bowling average has dropped by more than two runs in the last four years
  • He has been one of Yorkshire’s standout performers in the County Championships for the last two years
  • He is an important cog in Yorkshire’s cricketing machine, with his ability to bowl both fast and slow helping propel the side to their Challenge Cup triumph in 2018
  • As an all-rounder, he can field for longer than most, which makes him an important part of the game
  • Yorkshire will need all the all-rounders they can get if they are to continue their domination of the cricket world