New Australian selector Tony Dodemaide admits he was saddened by the international retirement of James Pattinson.
The 31-year-old called time on his Australian career on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming Ashes series, citing a lack of preparation coming into the season.
Multiple back setbacks limited Pattinson to 21 Tests, 15 ODIs and four T20Is across 10 years.
Dodemaide, who was aware of Pattinson’s raw talent coming through the Victorian ranks, lamented the quick’s “dreadful luck” with injury.
“I was really sad when I read that coming across the wires in the last hour or so,” Dodemaide told Sportsday.
“I know James really well, he was coming up through Victoria when I was at Cricket Victoria as CEO, so I’ve seen him right from the outset.
“As a young buck coming through, he was such an exciting prospect, but his back was always an issue in those early days.
“I think in the end, those injuries have cruelled him. He’s had dreadful luck over the time.
“When he’s been playing well and fit, he’s been so exciting to see in those teams because he really does intimidate the opposition.
“At his best, that is what was on offer, but there’s also been so many frustrations he’s had, including a really serious back operation a couple of years ago.
“He’s still got some cricket left in him, but that I just think that extra dimension of doing the work and putting his body through all of that again, it sounds like it’s been a bit much.”
Pattinson made his Test debut in 2011 and took 81 wickets at an average of 26.33.
He will continue to play for Victoria and is open to a county cricket stint.