Clarke lauds Pattinson's fighting performance on 'batsman-friendly' Gabba pitch
Sydney, Nov 14 (ANI)
Australia captain Michael Clarke has praised young fast bowler James Pattinson for his fighting comeback on a batsman-friendly Gabba pitch in the second innings of the drawn first Test match.
Clarke also lauded other bowlers too for picking up South Africa's top order twice in the Gabba Test.
Pattinson was clearly the most impressive pace man during the match, finishing with a match-high five wickets and roughing up the South African top-order.
Pattinson looked like a long-term spearhead for the hosts as he delivered a fiery last-day spell that sent Proteas captain Graeme Smith packing, but Clarke was at pains to play down the 22-year-old's influence and development.
The skipper and man of the match was more intent on complimenting his bowling group for bouncing back in the final three days to take a moral victory after South Africa (450 and 5-166) finished day one at 2-255.
"I've been pleased (with Pattinson). I've been very pleased with all the bowlers. But I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves ... he's played only six Tests," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.
"He came back really well after day one, all the bowlers did. The wicket was pretty good to bat on, to be able get the South African top order out on two occasions is a real positive for us," he added.