Should have stuck to initial plan against Tendulkar: Pattinson

He picked up all the three Indian wickets to fall on the second day of the opening Test at the MA Chidambaram stadium.

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He hit the 150kph mark on a consistent basis as well.

However, he was handed the ball for only six of the 52 overs that Team India faced during the course of the day -- two spells of three overs each to be precise.

While in his first spell (3-1-16-2) he removed both the Indian openers (Murali Vijay and Virender Sehwag), in his second (3-0-9-1) he broke a crucial partnership by getting through Cheteshwar Pujara's defence.

Would it have helped Australia's cause had James Pattinson been allowed to bowl a few more overs?

It is a fact that the 22-year-old's fledgling career has witnessed lengthy injury lay-offs. Yet his removal from the attack, at a time when he had reduced the home team to 12 for two, defies logic. Especially considering the other Australian bowlers, including their strike bowler (Mitchell Starc), couldn't secure further breakthroughs and build on their early advantage. 

"I'm coming back from an injury," reasoned Pattinson, when asked about the same. He proceeded to elaborate upon his point.

"It was planned at the very outset that I'd be bowling in shorter spells and go all out," he said. "Besides, Starky (Starc) has been bowling really well in recent times and earned the right to be the strike bowler.

Besides, what also rankles is the fact that Pattinson had to change his plan while bowling to Sachin Tendulkar, something the bowler would regret at the end of the day.

"My initial plan was to try and bounce him," explained the bowler, adding, "But we had to change the plan at the last minute as the ball wasn't swinging.

"I think we should have stuck to the earlier plan. A change of plan half way through isn't a great thing."

What rubbed it further was the fact that Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 71 at stumps, having been involved in two crucial partnerships that nullified Australia's early advantage.

However, Pattinson, despite being restricted on the day, hadn't given up on hope.

"We still have around a 200-run lead," he said, adding, "A few wickets early tomorrow morning will do the trick.

"There's enough there in the wicket if you bang the ball in."