ANALYSIS: James Pattinson creates hometown joy as Siddle departs
Pace forced all three errors. A full wide ball drew Latham's drive, but it was through the left-hander's shot early and drew his edge.
Williamson couldn't edge a ball that similarly carved through the air and hit his pad. Taylor was thoroughly beaten on the cut, chopping onto his stumps.A dozen overs down, a million runs behind, two days left to bat, three wickets lost for 35. Watching a Boxing Day Test be defined by the Victorian quick felt like something of a Christmas miracle.The litany of injuries, the constant waiting. A player who was only ever a possible future, not a concrete present.Fit and ready for a full Sheffield Shield season, some county matches, a whole Ashes tour.
Ready and waiting as the Australian summer started, then stepping up for his hometown match as if Josh Hazlewood's hamstring had been twanged by fate itself.Pattinson could have cost himself the chance with a homophobic insult to a state opponent in NovemberThe act was poor, but his response was heartening; immediately apologising to those around him on the field, then publishing a genuine apology rather than an"if you were offended" cop-out.
He had only twice been able to play in a Melbourne Test: his debut season of 2011 when India's fading stars made their valedictory tour, then four years later against the West Indies.There was a joy to seeing it fully grasped. For those who love watching, and hopefully for the player, the pangs of all those lost years and lost matches felt a little less sharp.
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