Pattinson “let himself down” over personal abuse – Paine

James Pattinson is out of Australia’s first Test squad after being found guilty of a level two breach for personal abuse of a player. Australia captain Tim Paine says the fast bowler has “let himself down” after his third code of conduct breach of 2019. Pattinson will miss the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane – which starts on Thursday – for disciplinary reasons. Cricket Australia took action after the 29-year-old used abusive language towards an opponent during Victoria’s defeat by Queensland last week. The Australian newspaper alleges Pattinson used a homophobic slur against Cameron Gannon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although the paceman apologised immediately to the Queensland batsman, who was a former teammate in the Big Bash League, he was still charged by the umpires. “I made a mistake in the heat of the moment,” Pattinson said. “Straight away I realised I was in the wrong, and I apologised immediately, both to the opponent and to the umpires. “I have done the wrong thing and accept the penalty. I’m gutted to miss a Test match, but the standards are there for a reason and the fault is mine.” “He knows he’s let himself down,” added Paine.