MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: James Pattinson of the Melbourne Renegades prepares to bowl during the BIg Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat at Etihad Stadium on January 13, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Australian fast bowler James Patinson is set to finally make his long awaited return from injury in the Melbourne derby on Saturday night.
The Renegades paceman, who has not planned a match since February, had initially planned to return from injury at the start of the Big Bash, however, a minor hamstring injury set his return date further back.
Renegades' coach Andrew McDonald says that Patterson is a likely starter for the match against the Melbourne Stars at Etihad Stadium.
"James Pattinson had a hit-out yesterday, Peter Siddle as well,” McDonald said on Wednesday. "So we feel as though we might have a few more pieces of the puzzle for this game.
"We’ll assess (Pattinson) and see how he’s pulled up from yesterday, but we’re pretty confident he’ll be available for Saturday’s derby, which is a massive inclusion for us.”
Fellow Aussie quick Peter Siddle is still a few matches off a return, but the club is confident he can play a role in BBL06.
"He's getting back into some work – he's probably a little bit further away than James with where he's at," he said.
"It'll be a week-by-week thing with 'Sidds' but we hope he may be able to take some part in the back-end of the tournament which will be a massive inclusion come that time if we are at the business end."