James Pattinson cops massive punishment for 'disgraceful' act
Victoria fast bowler James Pattinson has copped a significant sanction from Cricket Australia after an ugly incident in the Sheffield Shield that drew widespread criticism.
Pattinson was condemned across the cricketing world after throwing a ball straight into the foot of New South Wales batsman Daniel Hughes during his side's Shield victory at the MCG on Monday.
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Hughes was clearly in his crease and made no indication of going for a run after playing a defensive shot back to the Bushrangers bowler.
A frustrated Pattinson threw the ball back towards the stumps in anger but hit Hughes on the foot instead, causing the Blues batsman to limp away in pain.
Cricket Australia has reportedly fined Pattinson 100 percent of his match fee and hit the quick with a one-game ban as a result of the incident.
It means the 31-year-old - who recently announced his retirement from international cricket - will miss Friday's One-Day Cup match against the Blues.
Hughes admitted in an exclusive interview with Yahoo Sport on Tuesday that he was initially livid with Pattinson, after being struck on the foot.
"I was pretty pissed off about it. It was pretty painful and there were a few words had," he said.
"What I said back to him can't be repeated but what he said to me probably can’t be repeated either.
"It was a pretty intense, heated battle all day. The four quicks they had hit the wicket hard and it was a fiery encounter.
"They got frustrated with a few plays and misses and edges that didn’t go to hand but I wasn't going for a run or anything (when hit by Pattinson). I was just standing my ground in my crease and he let loose."
"I just wanted to annoy them for the rest of my innings. I thought 'these bastards aren’t getting me out after that'," he said.
"I used it to drive me. Even though they did win the game I thought I'm going to fight all the way and keep these blokes out here."
Players bury the hatchet after ugly incident
However, the Blues batsman admitted that he and Pattinson were able to share a drink and put the ugly saga behind them after the match.
"We talked about it over a beer in the change-rooms. It was all good in the end. He's alright," Hughes added.
Pattinson's Bushrangers made it two wins from two in the Sheffield Shield after their second straight victory over the Blues, with paceman Scott Boland powering the Vics to a 174-run win after taking eight wickets for the match.
Boland (5-56) claimed the final two wickets of the match at the MCG, grabbing his seventh first-class five-wicket haul to finish with match figures of 8-89 in front of new Australian selector Tony Dodemaide, who was watching on from the stands.
It followed Boland's outstanding match haul of 7-73 in the season-opening win over NSW in Sydney last week.
He now has 15 wickets at an average of 10.8 to start the summer to put him in serious contention for a national call-up ahead of the Ashes.
with Adam Lucius
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