AUS vs NZ | James Pattinson obvious choice to replace Josh Hazlewood, believes Ricky Ponting

On the eve of Day 2 of the first Test, Australia were dealt a body blow after Josh Hazlewood, who has been in terrific form of late in the longer format, walked off the field after damaging his hamstring. It was later then revealed that the pacer, who’d bowled just 8 balls prior to his injury, had done significant damage to his hamstring, so much so that he will miss the rest of the series.

“I think the Australians would have been tossing up whether to play Pattinson or Starc in the first Test in Brisbane and then 'Patto' ruled himself out with that suspension that he got.

Having made his Test debut way back in 2011, Pattinson’s career has unfortunately been hampered with injuries and in July this year, in the Ashes, Pattinson made his return to the Australian Test team after a three-year hiatus. Incidentally, when the Victorian quick made his Test debut, the Australian team also boasted of a certain Ricky Ponting, and the former skipper lavished praise on the fiery Pattinson, who he believes adds excitement to the contest through his sheer aggression.

"I've liked him from the start of his career. I was lucky enough to play in his first Test match and he's just like a big bull, charging in and wants to bowl fast. He's aggressive and has the ability to swing the new ball as well.