Darren Pattinson’s story is one you simply could not make up.

Having played just 11 first class matches, the former roof tiler was thrust into Michael Vaughan’s England side to face South Africa at Headingley in the summer of 2008.

Having spent the past five seasons at Trent Bridge, Pattinson has signed a contract to play for the Melbourne Renegades as a local player.

Having led the bowling attack in white ball cricket this Pattinson was ultimately disappointed to leave the club without one day silverware this season.

 “It’s been a good five years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play at Notts,” he said.

“We’re pretty unlucky with the t20, similar to the last couple of seasons, but it was disappointing to get injured when I did.

“Our white ball cricket has been pretty good, we lost three in a row in the CB40 which hurt a lot, but we’ve also won some games pretty comfortably.”

In a spell at Trent Bridge that brought the England international an LV= County Championship winner’s medal, there have also been many personal highs.

“Our runs in the t20 have been really good,” said Pattinson, who hopes to pursue a career as a house builder when he eventually retires.

“in my first couple of seasons we were pretty poor at t20 and we’ve ended up becoming a pretty decent team without being able to go on and win the competition.

“Obviously the Championship win was the highlight, the two years before when we came second they were also good years when we narrowly missed out.”

Having played at many grounds both in England and overseas, Pattinson reserved special praise for the Trent Bridge crowds.

“The atmosphere is great here, especially when you are winning, when you get big crowds there is nothing like being at Trent Bridge,” he said.

Having signed to play for the Melbourne Renegades, that does not necessarily mean the door is shut on a return to Nottingham for the Grimsby born seam bowler.

“You never know although I’m going to have to be an overseas player,” he said.

“If Mick decides he wants a bowler for the t20 competition I’ll put my hand up, but I’m not getting any younger.”