Victorian fast bowler will return to Australia with his family after being released from the last month of his Nottinghamshire contract
Pattinson to return home after release from county contract
Former Australia seamer James Pattinson has been released from his contract with Nottinghamshire to return home to Victoria with his family.
Pattinson, who had not played since July 26, requested a departure before the end of the season due to a combination of fitness and family reasons.
"After having another child recently, I'm keen to be there and provide support and I think the best place to do that is back in Australia," said Pattinson, who has claimed 33 wickets in eight first-class appearances this season.
"Also, my body has really struggled with getting through the county season, so I just really need to give it a break.
"I wish Notts all the very best for the rest of the season and really hope we can take out the second division title."
Head coach Peter Moores, whose side head into the final stretch of the County Championship campaign top of division two, said it was a shame that Pattinson won't be involved in the last three games of the season.
"But it's a decision he's made that's right for him, and one we respect completely, so we wish Jimmy and his family well," he said.
Pattinson signed for his third spell with Notts ahead of the 2022 campaign after removing himself from contention for selection with Australia by retiring from international cricket last October.
Look away Div Two batsmen, James Pattinson has been in one of those moods again pic.twitter.com/elGCaZdp4i
— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) June 20, 2017
He was also released from the last year of his Melbourne Renegades contract for KFC BBL|12 in June citing a desire to spend more time with his family over the Christmas period and keep his body fresh for first-class cricket with Victoria and overseas.
The 32-year-old has rediscovered some of his best form during his stint with Notts where he sits among the top eight wicket-takers in the division two.
He remains contracted to Victoria who open their 2022-23 summer with a Marsh One-Day Cup fixture against NSW at the Junction Oval on September 23, with their Sheffield Shield campaign to get underway against South Australia in Adelaide on October 6.
Pattinson and Victoria will be hoping change of fortunes this summer after the right-armer missed the last season's Marsh Sheffield Shield final against Western Australia with a calf injury, while he also sat out of the last half of BBL|11 to manage his body.