Pattinson ... was instrumental in Victoria's win over Queensland. Source: AAP
Rather than knock on the Test selectors' door, James Pattinson all but knocked it down with career-best figures to set up Victoria's stunning 10-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland at the Gabba on Friday.
SHEF - Gabba
10 October 2012 - Day 3, Session 3
Victoria 2nd Innings
| C. Rogers | 21 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 67.74 |
| R. Quiney | 25 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 92.59 |
In what must warm the selectors' hearts ahead of next month's first Test against South Africa at the same venue, Pattinson (6-32) was at one stage on a hat-trick as the Bulls lost 7-32 to be routed for 125 in their second dig late on day three.
The Bushrangers shot down the victory target of 48 in just 9.3 overs.
Pattinson - who had match figures of 8-61 - showed no mercy as the Bulls at one stage lost 5-9.
It was a compelling case to line up alongside Victorian teammate and mentor Peter Siddle in the opening Test against the Proteas.
Especially after Pattinson picked up 5-27 at the same ground on Test debut last summer against New Zealand.
Siddle is expected to chime into the Test pace attack with fellow hard-hosed quick Ben Hilfenhaus against South Africa with selectors tipped to rotate young speedsters Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc throughout the summer.
However, Pattinson has given himself the best chance to get first crack.
"It is always good taking wickets, it puts your name up for selection," Pattinson said.
"Hopefully I will be up there in the (Test) mix, (but) it's a great time for Australian cricket with so much depth in our bowling."
In a not so subtle hint to selectors, Pattinson said lessons learned from the past - including his Test debut - had taught him how to handle the lively Gabba deck.
"It is a good place to bowl when you get it right but it can go the other way when you don't and become easy to score on," he said.
"In my first Shield game here I got hit for 130-odd runs off 30 overs or so.
"And, I know it isn't an excuse, but I was probably a bit nervous (on Test debut) but I came out (in the second innings) with a clear frame of mind and just tried to bowl fast and hit the wicket hard, and I took that into this game too."
Remarkably Parkinson's career-best figures marked his first five-wicket Shield haul.
His only other bags of five were in Tests - both against New Zealand last summer.
Siddle was nursed through the Shield clash, finishing with match figures of 4-57 off just 20 overs.
But Siddle also did some damage with the bat - he struck 54, his second-straight half century, in a 112-run seventh-wicket stand with Matthew Wade (89) that helped guide Victoria to 227 and first innings points.
Siddle joined Wade at the crease with Victoria battling at 6-68 late on day one in reply to Queensland's first innings of 149.
They resumed on Friday at 6-174 after rain all but washed out day two.
Luke Feldman (3-66), Alister McDermott (3-45) and Ben Cutting (3-47) impressed with the ball for Queensland.
