Dandenong Panthers prodigies James Pattinson (right) and Kumar Sarna (below) returned home last week after representing Australia at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.By Paul Pickering and Marc McGowan
AS teenage Dandenong Panthers exports James Pattinson and Kumar Sarna returned home from Malaysia last week, they vowed to use their Under 19 Cricket World Cup experience as a springboard to future glories.
Pattinson, 17, and Sarna, 19, were part of an Australian team that struggled to come to terms with the low and slow Malaysian pitches, bowing out to Pakistan in the quarter-final.
But the Panthers pair was reluctant to dwell on the side’s difficulties this week, preferring to savour the rare honour of representing their country.
Pattinson in particular was delighted just to be there after a tumultuous 12 months.
The fast bowling sensation was diagnosed with a stress fracture on the left side of his back and a stress reaction on his other side in January last year.
“Around October-November time I was only a 10 per cent chance of going,” the budding all-rounder said.
“I did a fair bit of work on my core and back and it improved really quickly then I got a phone call just before Christmas that I was going away.
“It definitely felt really good because it was something I’d worked hard for to get selected in.
“It was amazing really; it’s a dream come true to play for Australia in any form.”
Pattinson, who wore a back brace for five months, has plenty of people to thank for his ascension to national ranks, but number one on that list must be Bushrangers fitness coach David Bailey.
Since being chosen for a Victorian rookie contract in June, Haileybury College student Pattinson has worked diligently with Bailey to strengthen his back and prevent the problem from returning.
The brother of star Bushranger Darren now monitors how many balls he bowls a week after doctors blamed a heavy workload for causing the injury.
Pattinson does not feel a part of the Bushrangers’ team yet because he has only been able to commit part-time so far, but has high hopes for next season.
“It has been awesome. It’s a great opportunity and experience to be able to train with guys like Cameron White and Brad Hodge,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll have a big pre-season with the Victorian fitness coach (Bailey) and get on the tour to Queensland and hopefully break into the team next year.”
Similarly, Sarna’s sights are firmly set on a Bushrangers debut in the not-too-distant future.
While the gifted opening batsman had limited opportunities to play his trade in Malaysia, playing in just two of Australia’s five matches, he believes the experience will be invaluable.
“It was a great learning curve,” he said. “Watching other players, seeing how they play against spin, how they play on lower tracks and how they use their wrists.”
Sarna was also grateful for the opportunity to experience another culture and relax with his team-mates.
“When you’re 19 and travelling around to other countries – with all expenses paid – it’s just a bonus,” he said. “I don’t think too many other 19-year-olds are doing that.”
For now, though, Sarna and Pattinson’s sole focus is on helping Dandenong defend its Victorian Premier Cricket title.
“I’m really excited to play for Dandy again,” Sarna said. “Hopefully we can win the premiership back-to-back.”
For Pattinson, it will be a chance to erase the disappointment of missing out on last season’s grand final.
“I was shattered, but I’m only young and I’ve got plenty more opportunities, so hopefully this is the year,” he said.
