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'Can't do that': Cricket world erupts over Aussie's 'disgraceful' act

andrew reid
·5-min read
Pictured right, NSW batsman Daniel Hughes is in pain after being hit on the foot by a cricket ball.
James Pattinson came under fire for throwing the ball straight into the foot of NSW batsman Daniel Hughes. Pic: cricket.com.au/Getty

Victoria's James Pattinson has come under fire from cricket fans and commentators after an "unsavoury" incident in his side's Sheffield Shield victory against NSW at the MCG.

The Bushrangers made it two wins from two 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.

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While Boland's latest heroics helped press his case for Ashes selection, it was a more frustrating match for his fellow quick Pattinson, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.

Pattinson was locked in a battle with NSW batsman Daniel Hughes when things turned ugly at the MCG on Monday.

Hughes was travelling along nicely on 64 not out when he played a defensive shot back to the Victoria quick, who in turn threw the ball straight back at him.

The Blues batsman hadn't even left his crease and made no indication that he was looking for a run as the ball clattered into his foot.

Pattinson tried to apologise but Hughes was clearly irate as he stared down the bowler before taking off his helmet and limping away.

The bad blood between the pair continued with a series of verbal barbs before they walked back to the pavilion at the tea break.

Analysing the incident on Fox Sports' coverage, former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said Pattinson's actions were unacceptable.

“The two most unsavoury aspects are, A) the send-off when you’ve got somebody out and, B) the chuck at the stumps by a bowler,” O’Keeffe told Fox Cricket.

“Are we the only country that does it? Like, Mitch Starc does it for fun in England and he gets booed. Is it the way we play our cricket? You hit it back to the bowler, he picks it up and wants to peg you – I mean, what is going on there?

“The ball is dead once it’s in his hands. Walk back to the mark and bowl it again.”

Brendon Julian added: “He wasn’t even going for a run. You can’t do that. You’ve got to tidy that up.”

Fellow former Test star Brad Haddin also called it a "bad look" with viewers condemning Pattinson on social media.

Pattinson's frustrations were in stark contrast to fellow Victoria quick Boland, who continued his incredible start to the Sheffield Shield season to put himself into the Ashes conversation.

Quick Scott Boland stars for Victoria

Boland (5-56) claimed the final two wickets of the match at the MCG on Monday to give Victoria a second straight victory to begin the season.

The 32-year-old grabbed his seventh first-class five-wicket haul to finish with match figures of 8-89, doing it in front of new Australian selector Tony Dodemaide, who was watching on from the stands.

It follows up 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 call-up ahead of the Ashes.

Victoria captain Peter Handscomb has no doubt his improving quick is ready for selection in Australia's Test squad.

Boland has played 14 ODIs and three Twenty20s for Australia, but has never worn the baggy green.

Pictured here, Victoria quick Scott Boland appeals for a wicket against NSW.
Victoria quick Scott Boland finished with eight wickets as the Bushrangers beat NSW for a second straight Sheffield Shield match. Pic: Getty

"He's been doing this for five, six years - it's nothing new," Hands comb said.

"It's incredible bowling and the figures speak for themselves.

"I'd love to see him have a crack at that next level, and if that moment does come, I'm sure he's going to grab it with both hands and show Australia what he can do.

"Every ball he did bowl (this match) had a really good question on it, asking the batter whether to play or leave.

"He's just doing great stuff and that's a great audition for him."

Victoria secured the outright win later than expected, largely thanks to a heroic unbeaten 89 from NSW opener Hughes.

He saw off 319 balls to carry his bat, watching on from the non-strikers end when Boland trapped injured Blues veteran Trent Copeland lbw with less than an hour remaining in the match.

with AAP

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