Pattinson returns to Australia side after back injury

(Reuters) – Injured fast bowler James Pattinson has returned to the Australia set-up when he was named yesterday for the one-day series against England in January.

The 23-year-old Pattinson has been recovering from a lower back injury that forced him home from Australia’s tour of England earlier this year.

Pattinson, who said he had been inspired by the exploits of Australia’s pace bowlers in recapturing the Ashes off England, had been working back to match fitness by playing Melbourne club cricket and domestic Twenty20 fixtures before possibly making the tour to South Africa.

“James Pattinson has worked hard to get back to full fitness and will be looking to regain his best form,” national selection panel head John Inverarity said in a statement.

“His performances will provide a guide to the (panel) when it selects the team for the test tour to South Africa in February and March.”