Cricket: Pattinson returns with eye on Ashes

James Pattinson.Picture / Getty Images

Paceman James Pattinson takes the next big step on the long road towards a planned comeback to the test arena when he makes his first-class return for Victoria on Saturday.

Pattinson played the most recent of his 13 tests in South Africa in March last year before succumbing to a serious back injury.

The match against Queensland at the Gabba will mark the first Sheffield Shield cricket he has played for Victoria in more than two years.

Pattinson remains hopeful of returning to the test scene for tours of the West Indies and England later this year.

"It is a huge relief," said the 24-year-old, who has eased his way back by playing for his district club.

"The whole process over the last six months has been about trying to get my body right and getting my action right to be back playing the longer format of the game.

"I am less than a week away from doing that and I am pretty excited at the moment.

"Hopefully I can use these three games and get some good performances on the board and feel good, and then I can put my name forward for selection for the West Indies."

In a bid to avoid further back injuries, Pattinson has remodelled his action working alongside Australian bowling coach Craig McDermott and Cricket Victoria high performance manager Tim McCaskill.

"Initially, I was not going to play any Big Bash cricket but I got to the stage where I had to play some cricket because it had been so long since I had, and I was ready to go," said Pattinson, who has claimed 51 wickets in his 13 tests at an average of 27.07.

"I managed to play five matches, which was fantastic.

"I was a bit nervous coming into the games, whether I could hold my action and actually compete at that level knowing I had been out of the game for so long but I was lucky enough to get a few wickets and stick to my [new] action too.

"It is a mouth-watering year ahead.

"The Ashes is the pinnacle and that is my goal, I want to be available for that series and I want to be performing well so I can put my name up for selection."

Victoria will take a strong pace attack into the Shield game at the Gabba, with fellow international star Peter Siddle also included in the 12-man squad.

Marcus Stoinis returns from a hand injury, as does test opener Chris Rogers.

Out of the Bushrangers' team are World Cup squad members Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch, David Hussey and Chris Tremain.

Victoria top the Sheffield Shield table, with Queensland in last place.