Pattinson set for Notts exit

Darren Pattinson, who will forever be remembered most for his wild card selection for England's Test against South Africa in 2008, looks to be coming to the end of his first-class career in England by signing to play for Melbourne Renegades as a home-based player in the 2012-13 edition of Australia's Big Bash League.

Pattinson, the 32-year-old Nottinghamshire pace bowler is the 14th contracted player announced by the Renegades and his decision to play in the Twenty20 competition as an Australian domestic player means that were he to return to English cricket next season it would have to be as an overseas player.

However, his contract at Trent Bridge expires at the end of the current season and Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, says that it was unlikely Pattinson would return next year in any event. So far this season, he has not appeared in four-day cricket, although he missed the first half of the season after suffering a stress fracture of the back.

"Darren's decision changes his status as far as I am aware but with his age and the age of his kids I think it was unlikely he would be looking to stay beyond this season," Newell said. "This season, taking his fitness into account, we were looking at him mainly for the one-day competitions, although he will remain an important member of the squad for all forms of the game for the remainder of the season.

"He has made a big contribution for us in his time here and has been a great servant to the county."

Pattinson made headlines when his early-season form for Nottinghamshire led to his surprise selection for the second Test against South Africa at Headingley in 2008. He took 2 for 95 from 30 overs in the first innings but England lost by 10 wickets and he was not picked again.

The 2008 season was his most productive of his five in English cricket, bringing him 49 first-class wickets. He took 33 two years later as Nottinghamshire won the County Championship. In total he has taken 110 first-class wickets for the county at 34.00 and has proved an effective weapon in T20, taking 64 wickets at 20.09, including six in this season's competition, helping Nottinghamshire earn a home quarter-final against Hampshire on July 25..

Pattinson is likely to come up against his younger brother and current Australian Test player James in the Big Bash, who is signed up for Melbourne Stars. "We've played together a few times, but that would be the first time playing against my brother," Pattinson said.

Day three of Nottinghamshire's match against Surrey had the same soggy end as day two, abandoned without a ball bowled because of muddy patches around wicket ends and areas close to the edge of the square.

Newell said he expected both captains to be amenable to setting up a game on the final day, with Nottinghamshire 178 for 5 when play was called off on the opening day.