Patel extends Nottinghamshire deal

England and Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel has agreed a contract extension which ties him to the county until the end of the 2010 season.

Patel enjoyed a rise to prominence this year, culminating in a call-up to the England one-day squad in August and topped Nottinghamshire’s LV County Championship Division One batting averages with 53.88.

All-rounder Samit Patel helped Nottinghamshire challenge for the County Championship title

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell said: “Samit has taken huge strides recently and this contract rewards him for his standing in the team.

“He has matured as a person and a player and he has serious ambitions to play Test cricket for England.”

Patel was man-of-the-match as England clinched the NatWest Series with a convincing win over South Africa at the Brit Oval.

He took 5-41 as the tourists were dismissed 126 runs short of their target, helping to secure his place in the England squad for the Stanford Super Series and one-day tour of India.

Patel added: “I’m very happy at Notts and even though my previous deal didn’t expire until 2009, I was keen to agree an extension.”

“It has been a good year for me and for the team and I’m confident that we will be able to challenge for honours next season.”