Australian paceman James Pattinson is on track for a return to first-class cricket within the next three weeks.
Pattinson, who is recovering from stress fractures in his foot following his starring role in the summer's early Tests, made a low-key comeback to club cricket in Melbourne yesterday.
He played for Victorian premier cricket side Dandenong as a batsman only - scoring one but watching wickets tumble all around him as his side beat Essendon outright in a day.
Victorian captain Cameron White said Pattinson's comeback was progressing well, though he believed the Bushrangers' one-day clash with South Australia next weekend might come too soon for the 21-year-old express.
Instead, Victoria's Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia starting on March1 - a match which could have huge ramifications for the Shield final - might mark Pattinson's return to the first-class stage.
''I'm not so sure about the one-day game, but maybe the one after that,'' White said. ''He's back bowling in the nets now. It's about reloading that foot injury and make sure he gets enough work through it to play for Australia, because I think he'll be straight back in there.
''My understanding is he's not at full intensity, but he'll work up to that and build into bowling flat out.''
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