Rarely has an Australian fast bowler made such a dramatic debut as Pattinson at Brisbane in the first test of that series.
He ripped out the first five New Zealand wickets for just six runs in 21 balls in the second innings to set up an easy win.
Another eight wickets followed at Hobart, but could not stop a New Zealand win.
Pattinson dismissed Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor three times each, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson once apiece in that series.
A consistently mid to late 140kmph speedster, Pattinson has been bedevilled by injury in his career. The 25-year-old has played 13 tests, taking 51 wickets at 27.07. Of that haul, 25 came in his first four matches.
His action has been remodelled after two severe back injuries in the last two years. His last test was in Cape Town 20 months ago.
Pattinson has taken eight wickets in two Sheffield Shield games this season and has played just five first-class matches since Cape Town.
There are fears that he's not ready for the rigours of a five-day match.
"I would have concerns if they produced another wicket like they did in the week just gone," Victorian coach David Saker said of Pattinson's readiness in relation to the gruelling Waca pitch for the drawn second test.
"If he's in the field for a really long period of time and bowling spells I'm not sure he's ready for that yet.
"He hasn't got any history of putting lots of games together. When you don't have that you've always got questions. I'll always doubt people who can't play four or five shield games in a row - how can they get through two or three test matches?"
As for the bowler, he's not about to dial back his speed for safety.
"I'm doing everything possible to stop myself from getting injury," he said yesterday.
"Most people who know me know that I go 100 miles an hour all the time. If I get injured, I get injured. There's not much you can do about it. All you can do is prepare the best possible way."
Pattinson's hopes of playing in Adelaide probably depend on whether Australia opt for a second spinner to support Lyon.
Left arm spinner Steve O'Keefe has been brought in. In three shield games under lights at Adelaide in the last three seasons, the New South Welshman has taken 18 wickets.
It is food for thought to New Zealand as they deliberate in the next few days over introducing uncapped spinning allrounder Mitchell Santner to support Mark Craig.
O'Keefe's numbers are intriguing; New Zealand are more likely to stick with their preferred one spinner and three, or four fast-medium bowlers.
