Two-Test star Kurtis Patterson has delivered another stunning statement to Australian cricket selectors with his second century for NSW in as many innings. Fresh off his first-class career-best innings of 173 not out for the Blues in the Sheffield Shield, Patterson belted an unbeaten 104 (off 110 balls) to power NSW to a seven-wicket One-Day Cup win over South Australia.
The Blues lost former Test opener Sam Konstas (17 off 30) early on after South Australia posted 7-242 in Sydney on Tuesday. That brought Patterson to the crease and when Josh Philippe fell for 29, the home side found themselves down 2-65.
Kurtis Patterson (R and centre L image) has scored two centuries for NSW in as many matches to stamp his claim for a Test recall for Australia. Pic: Getty
But the 32-year-old Patterson - who played two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019 - shared in a match-defining 113-run stand with No.4 Matthew Gilkes to swing the contest back in the hosts' favour. Gilkes (46) fell just short of his half-century after picking out Jason Sangha in the field, off the bowling of Nathan McSweeney.
Patterson remained steadfast at the crease though and notched his second century of the summer when he flicked Lloyd Pope (0-45) to fine leg for three runs. But the former Test star missed the chance to better his List A high-score (115) after teammate Lachie Shaw (33no) hit the winning runs with six overs to spare.
The six-wicket victory moved NSW up to second place on the One-Day Cup ladder behind Tasmania. And it sparked fresh calls for Australian selectors to consider a red-ball recall for Patterson, who has an incredible Test average of 144.
The veteran opener scored 114 not out in his second Test for Australia against Sri Lanka in 2019. But he was dropped when Steve Smith and David Warner returned from their respective suspensions over the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.
Patterson has dropped down the pecking order in the years since, but narrowly missed out on a Test recall last year after rediscovering his form for NSW. But with Usman Khawaja's Test retirement after the Ashes series, it's opened the door for the likes of Patterson to break into the Aussie side.
Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw and McSweeney are among the leading candidates to replace Khawaja. But Patterson's purple patch of form has seen the classy left-hander rocket firmly into Test calculations.
Patterson played both of his Tests batting at No.6, but counts first drop as his best spot. And his red-hot form could pile the pressure on Marnus Labuschagne to retain his spot at No.3 for Australia after a dip in form over recent years.
Kurtis Patterson played two Tests for Australia against Sri Lanka in 2019 but was dropped despite having an average of 144. Pic: Getty
Patterson admitted last week that he still had a burning desire to add to his two Test matches when Australia begins a busy 12 months in August. They play two home Tests against Bangladesh, followed by a three-Test tour of South Africa, starting in September. The Aussies cap off the year with a four-Test home series against New Zealand, starting in December.
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