Pattinson out via the back

EMERGING Dandenong quick James Pattinson has been sidelined for the rest of the summer with another back injury.
The 18-year-old pace prodigy, who made his first-class debut against Western Australia in December, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back last week and could be out of action for up to six months.
Pattinson is all too familiar with the rehabilitation process ahead of him, having recently returned to full fitness after suffering a stress fracture on the other side of his back in 2007.
The injury has prematurely ended a promising summer in which he claimed three wickets in his Bushrangers debut and captained the Victorian under-19 side at the national championships.
Dandenong coach Warren Ayres said the news was a massive blow to Pattinson and the Panthers.
“It’s devastating for him,” Ayres said. “He’s just played in a (Sheffield) Shield match and gone away as the under-19 captain and then this happens. It’s not as bad as it was last time though, so I don’t think it will take as long (to heal). It’s not an over-use thing this time, I think it’s just a problem with kids at that age because they’re still growing.”
From a club perspective, Pattinson’s hostile bowling and handy lower-order batting will be missed in the push towards the finals.
“He’s a vital player and you can’t replace him,” Ayres said. “We just have to find other ways to take wickets.”
There was more bad news circulating at Shepley Oval this week, with Test star Peter Siddle being ruled out of the first two games of Australia’s one-day series against South Africa.
Siddle had been set to make his one-day international debut at the MCG on Friday before learning of a mild stress injury in his left foot.
He is expected to be rested for two weeks before a likely return for the one-dayers against New Zealand next month.