James Pattinson has declared his international career over after a series of leg niggles killed off his last shot at being fit for the Ashes.

Pattinson made his shock retirement call on Wednesday, telling national selectors he no longer wanted to be considered and would only play domestic cricket.

His decision leaves Australia without a seasoned back-up pace option for this summer's Ashes, and marks a frustrating end to the 31-year-old's Test career.

After exploding onto the scene with 25 wickets at 18.12 in his first summer of 2011-12, Pattinson loomed as a fixture of Australia's attack for the next decade.

But he has managed just four Tests in the past five-and-a-half years, regularly cut down by injuries while falling behind Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Most recently he missed out on playing in last summer's final Test against India after hurting himself mowing the lawn on a break away from the team's bubble.

It means he finishes with 21 Tests to his name, with 81 wickets at an average of 26.33.

He also played 15 one-day matches for Australia and four T20s.

Pattinson indicated last month he was close to the end of his Test career, describing this summer's Ashes as one of his "last cracks".

But it's believed a series of knee and calf niggles were set to stop him playing in at least the first of three looming matches for Victoria against NSW.

"Leading into pre-season I really wanted to give the Ashes a crack but in the end I haven't had the preparation I would have liked heading into the coming season," Pattinson said.

"If I was to be part of the Ashes I would need to do myself and my teammates justice.

"I didn't want to be in a position of battling with my body when you need to be 100 per cent fit and ready to go at any time.

"That would not be fair to myself or the team."

Pattinson said that had left him weighing up his career path from there.

"It was then I felt that instead of trying to play at the very highest level, knowing I have only got three or four years of cricket left, I would focus more on Victoria," he said.

"(Especially) helping the young guys develop, perhaps some cricket in England and spending more time with my family."

His retirement means Australia will not have a back-up pace option behind Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood who have played more than two Tests.

Instead the uncapped Michael Neser and Sean Abbott are the two most likely options as well as two-Test player Jhye Richardson.

"Everyone who has played with Patto has thrived on his competitive nature and the sheer pride he takes in playing for his country," chief selector George Bailey said.

"James epitomises what it means to play for Australia, the sacrifices you make and the hurdles you have to overcome on the journey.

"But his record speaks for itself, he has been a wonderful player. We would have loved to have seen a lot more of him over the years."