Cricket Veteran Kurtis Patterson Shines in Sheffield Shield Comeback
After NSW were asked to start their second innings with a 167-run deficit on Monday morning, Kurtis Patterson’s gritty 66-run knock played a crucial role in the Blues’ total of 256 for 4 when both sides agreed to end the match.
Ollie Davies also thrived for NSW, scoring a well-crafted 88 runs before being dismissed caught in the deep while hooking in the final session. Davies’ performance marked his best outing so far this summer, and he will now join the Australia A squad to face India A in Melbourne later this week.
The result left both teams without wins from the opening three rounds, with two draws each. However, this fixture proved to be a personal triumph for Patterson, who had previously feared his first-class career was over.
Reclaiming His Place in the Sheffield Shield Side
“NSW’s captain as recently as two seasons ago, the left-handed batsman was only selected for three Shield matches last summer and again started the 2024-25 season out of the side. But with several players unavailable due to Australia and Australia A commitments, the selectors were compelled to bring him back, and he delivered in style.”
The two-time Test representative scored a resilient 91 runs in the first innings and once again shone bright on Monday, playing a magnificent square-drive off Mitchell Swepson, one of his six boundaries. Though Swepson eventually dismissed him on his first ball back after a brief rain interruption, Patterson had already done enough to help NSW salvage a draw.
This performance underscores Patterson’s determination to reclaim his place in the Sheffield Shield side, bolstering his chances of a potential international recall in the future.
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