Barnsley has produced some Ashes heroes for England over the years but now an Australian star has emerged with connections to the town.

 

The mother of Aussie fast bowler James Pattinson – who took the first wicket of the series at Trent Bridge on Wednesday when he removed England captain Alastair Cook – is from Wombwell.

 

Sue Pattinson and husband John, who is from Grimsby, moved to Melbourne in the mid-1980s then returned to Lincolnshire for a year when James was six.

 

The 23-year-old told reporters this week: "We've still got family all over the place in England but my mum is from Wombwell near Barnsley. She always talks about Dickie Bird. I think it's the only umpire she knows."

 

Pattinson, who bowled a wide with the first ball of the Ashes series, ended up with figures of three for 69 off 17 overs as he removed Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, as well as the home skipper.

 

James' older brother Darren Pattinson, 33, played one Test for England in 2008 due to both their parents being English and the younger sibling revealed this week that he could have done the same but chose to play for Australia.

 

If you know the Pattinson family or have information about them, you can contact our sportsdesk on 734261.