Giles defends Pattinson selection

Darren Pattinson has not been included in the squad for the third npower Test

National selector Ashley Giles has branded “ridiculous” the notion England lost the second npower Test with South Africa at Headingley Carnegie because of the inclusion of paceman Darren Pattinson.

Giles and the rest of the selectors have come in for criticism for picking Nottinghamshire player Pattinson after only 11 first-class matches.

Giles said: “We lost the second game at Headingley because we lost the toss and we didn’t score enough runs.

“Whenever there is a change - be it through injury or through leaving a player out - it always causes disruption. But to say that is the reason we didn’t perform well last week is ridiculous. We can’t hide behind that.

“We had also kept the same side for the previous six Test matches so it’s not as if we have been inconsistent.”

Giles, who is also director of cricket at Warwickshire, added: “I thought Pattinson bowled better and better as the match progressed. He did amazingly well considering it was his debut.

“He performed well. The media reaction comes with the territory but it was a bit of a surprise. I think the problem was they hadn’t seen Pattinson bowl.

“But we know he is a quality performer. I knew he was good from just seeing him in warm-ups.

“Maybe they (the media) should look at the stats or talk to some of the players who have faced him in the middle or some of the umpires who have umpired him.

“He’s still in the frame for selection. He’s just played Test cricket and he’s in the squad that we’ll pick from.”