By Nick Creely
SATURDAY’s clinical performance by Dandenong marked the return of one of Australia’s finest talents with the ball, James Pattinson.
In what was a dark day for Australia’s test team on Saturday, the return of the fast-bowler is an exciting sight.
The 26-year old, who has battled injuries for the last 12-18 months, finally returned to the bowling crease for his beloved Panthers, helping them rattle the Blues and further cement their standings atop the Premier ladder.
Pattinson, who has frustratingly stood in the field this season, finally breathed his usual fire, taking 2/14 off his six overs, included the first scalp that kick-started a stunning batting collapse.
He truly looked ominous, and with more game-time under his belt, will be eyeing off a return to the Victorian Bushrangers by season’s end.
UK-spinner Callum Parkinson, who spent valuable time at the crease with the returning star, said the return of Pattinson is pleasing for all involved.
“It’s just a massive positive for Patto – He just oozed class with his bowling, and to take two wickets was a massive bonus for us, “he said.
“He also took a great slip catch and batted superbly in these circumstances, so it was really pleasing for the lads.
“He played well and showed fight, like the rest of the guys.”
It has been a stunning rise by the Panthers this season, who came into the game as the ladder leaders, and with supreme confidence they could end the doubters and extractors, who believed they had not beaten any side of note.
But the Panthers are on top for a reason, and the Blues found out the hard way.
Prahran elected to bat in blustery conditions, and were ready for another monumental score as they nudged their way to 0/35 early in the day.
The Panthers were bowling well and applied pressure, but there was a feeling that if wickets didn’t start tumbling, the scoreboard would inevitably start ticking over.
The Blues then capitulated, losing their last nine wickets for just 95 runs to be bowled out for a lowly 130, as the Panthers stunned a side that only just last week made an astonishing 6/489.
The crucial wicket of Evan Gulbis (33), who only last round made a destructive century, was the turning point for the Panthers, who then lost 6/33 as a result.
The Panthers bowlers were tremendous, as Adam McMaster (2/48), James Nanopoulos (2/20), Callum Parkinson (2/7), Justin Butterfield (1/29) and the returning James Pattinson (2/14) put in as complete a bowling performance as seen in the season so far.
But with 46 overs left in the day’s play, the Panthers start resembled a horror movie, as star openers Brett Forysth (1) and Tom Donnell (0) fell in the first four overs to the bowling of Adam Hutton (3/32), leaving them at a shaky 2/1.
Enter the Panthers overseas import, Callum Parkinson, who remained calm despite the barrage from the Blues bowlers, guiding his side to first innings points with a classy 50.
The Panthers recruit has steadily built up some solid batting form this season, after an impressive 45 the week prior against Footscray.
Parkinson said it was an important day in the context of the season, praising the bowling group for their outstanding efforts and the team for showing fight.
“It was a tough day of cricket to be honest, we went in knowing that Prahran would be a big test for us – they have some really dangerous players, “he said.
“For us to come out and show fight after they were 2/80, and bowl them out for 130 was just a massive plus for the group.
“We just aimed to continuing on what we’ve been doing throughout the whole season, whether it is red ball or white ball cricket, and knowing our own roles within the team.”
James Pattinson (44) and James Nanopoulos (35) also made strong contributions as the Panthers ended the day’s play at 5/160.
Nanopoulos, in particular, keeps on delivering for the Panthers, as he continued his huge start to the season with both and ball.
“He’s brilliant for us, a great guy and a leader among us – He sets the standard, and we know what we will get every time he steps on the park,” Parkinson said.
With a lead of 30 runs, the Panthers can eye an outright victory next week, but Parkinson is wary of the Blues match-winners, and hopes the group can keep up their positive intent.
“We have great belief in the side that we are building something special, “he said.
“They (Prahran) were a big test for us, and we have to be on our guard this week because they have some serious players that can still make this game quite interesting – we want to be ahead of the ball game.”
Play resumes Saturday from 11am, with James Nanopolous (35) and Cameron Forsyth (13) still at the crease.
