SAMIT PATEL
Much has been made recently of England’s so-called Spice Boys and while Patel is yet to live up to the expectations bestowed upon him during his international U19 days, he is eager to develop both his batting and orthodox left arm spin with Nottinghamshire and eventually push his name forward for greater things. A hard-hitting right-hand middle-order batsman, Patel narrowly failed to steer his county to Twenty20 Cup glory against Leicestershire on Sunday when he scored 27 off 17 balls before being run-out two overs from the finish.
SCOREBOARD
Age, nickname & number of seasons in county championship?
21, Sandwich and this is my second.
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TITLE WINNER
Your favourite domestic competition?
I’ve got to go for the Championship because, although I was only involved in three of the games last season, winning the title was fantastic. The way we played was brilliant.
FATHER TIME
The Championship – relevant or relic?
Definitely relevant and two divisions has made it much more competitive. There’s always something to play for and I believe that having two overseas players has also raised standards.
OUT ON A LIMB
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Should players not eligible for England be limited?
Yes. If somebody is, say, playing in South Africa and they realise they’re not going to make it there, it’s wrong for them to be able to come here and try and play for England.
TWENTY20 VISION
A success, but are we heading for overkill?
No, it’s great as it is. It’s been slightly more competitive this season as well. I don’t know how that’s happened, but it has. Maybe sides know how to play it now and they have a plan.
BIG APPEAL
Crowds – does size matter?
Yes, definitely. I reckon I can play my best even if there’s only a small crowd in, but a lot of people watching gives you an incentive to perform. Big match players maybe need to get psyched up.
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PITCH INVASION
It’s raining… Do you reach for the iPod, sports pages or book?
The iPod.
SILLY POINTS
Pre-match superstitions & favourite lad’s mag
I always put my right pad on first and I chew gum before I bat, but not when I get out in the middle. The mag would be Nuts.
IN A SPIN
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Why are we not producing more quality spin bowlers?
Until Monty came along we didn’t have a spinning idol, all the icons were from the sub-continent. Spinners here tend to be brought on to do a containing job and the pitches, especially early on in the season, suit the seamers much more.
BURNING QUESTION
Will England retain the Ashes?
I think they will.
12TH MAN
Pick an England player of the future
Ravi Bopara.
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CHAIRMAN OF SELECTORS
It’s fantasy cricket; Flintoff or Botham?
They’re two different characters, both legends, but I have to go with Flintoff, just because I haven’t seen Botham play that much.
MOVING TRACKS
Favourite music of the moment
I love R&B, anything with a bit of rhythm, and I like 50 Cent.