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Pattinson set to join Brisbane Heat for BBL 2018-19

by Tristan Lavalette • Published on

Pattinson played for Renegades previously. © Getty

James Pattinson, the Australian fast bowler, is set to join the Brisbane Heat for next season's Big Bash League (BBL).

Cricbuzz understands the Heat have lured the injury-prone Pattinson, who was out of contract after playing the past five seasons with the Melbourne Renegades. The 27-year-old last played in the BBL in January of 2017 after missing the most recent season due to another major back injury.

Pattinson suffered a fifth back stress fracture just before Australia's Test tour of Bangladesh last year putting his stuttering career at the crossroads. However, after a successful operation in New Zealand, he is returning to training and earmarking a strong comeback next summer with the hope of being part of Australia's Ashes tour in 2019.

Pattinson has starred at the international level and taken 70 wickets from 17 Tests but his last appearance was in February of 2016 in New Zealand.

"The 2019 Ashes is my real goal, everything from now is getting right for that and putting performances together to get selected for that," Pattinson said recently. "That's the real big one. The messages I've been getting from Cricket Australia are they want me to try and get ready for that."

If Pattinson successfully returns, his signing will be a major coup for the Heat who were also targeting Perth Scorchers swing bowler Jason Behrendorff and are seen as the favourite to land towering South African quick Morne Morkel.

The Heat also made an aggressive play at allrounder Marcus Stoinis but he's expected to sign a lucrative contract extension with the Melbourne Stars.

Cricbuzz understands World Cup hero James Faulkner is set to leave the Stars and return to his native Tasmania to play with the Hobart Hurricanes, who were runners-up in the recent BBL.

Faulkner, who was man-of-the-match in the 2015 World Cup final, had a disappointing BBL and has fallen out of favour with national selectors. He did not play for Australia over the summer but a move to the Hurricanes is hoped to revive the 27-year-old's career.

© Cricbuzz

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