Australian pacer James Pattinson who made his comeback in the Ashes series in England, back in 2019, had his career hit by the COVID-19 pandemic just as he looked to have recovered from his spinal injury.

Pattinson has only spent five months in bio-bubbles last summer only to play a tour match for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. Thus, the quick bowler has decided the upcoming Ashes will be a make-or-break series for him.

“This year, if I’m being honest, it’s probably one of my last cracks at it. I’m going to try and play in the Ashes and see how I go,” Pattinson told cricket.com.au.

The 31-year-old last played a Test match against New Zealand in January 2020 and has only played 4 Tests since his comeback in 2019 with only 11 wickets under his belt.

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“The hardest part as you get older is that you want to try and enjoy your cricket as well. You put all your attention into playing cricket for Australia and at some stage, that finishes.

This year is a big one for me if I can crack in and try and get an opportunity at the Test level. Then if not, then I probably wouldn’t mind just looking to try and enjoy my cricket somewhere towards the back-end of my career,” the fast bowler said.

When asked about his approach going into the series, considering it is going to be a very important series for him, the Aussie opined that he is going to try and stay relaxed and play consistently.

“I’m going into it pretty relaxed and trying to say, ‘You’re having one last crack at trying to play Test cricket and get a good run at it’. I’d just like to play consistent cricket, wherever that might be,” the Australian pacer concluded.

As far as the Ashes 2021-22 are concerned, England will be touring Australia for a five-match Test series slated to begin from December 8.

(With cricket.com.au Inputs)