Patel pens new Nottinghamshire deal

Following a lean 2009, Samit Patel is hoping to drive his career forwards after signing a three-year deal with Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel has signed a new three-year contract, committing him to the club until the end of the 2012 season.

Patel, who will spend the next two months at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide on a trip he has part-funded, is determined to make his mark in 2010 after conceding he must produce more consistent performances for Nottinghamshire before he targets a return to the England fold.

He scored 712 LV= County Championship runs in Division One last season having amassed 970 in 2008, and has targeted four figures in 2010.

“I’ve always wanted to play my cricket for Nottinghamshire and I want to remain loyal to the club and win trophies here,” said Patel.

“I’m at the stage now where I need to play a senior role in the team and that means scoring runs consistently, taking regular wickets and making match-winning contributions.

“I’ve made a significant change in my approach because I spent too much time obsessing about England when really I should be focussed on doing well for Nottinghamshire.

“I know that I didn’t show enough last year but this is a line in the sand and I’ll come back from Australia fitter and better prepared for the new season.”

Three new English signings and the arrival of overseas duo David Hussey and Dirk Nannes have impressed Patel, who is keen to mount a push for honours after consecutive second-place finishes in Division One of the championship.

“I think that we should be winning trophies and that’s a belief that is shared throughout the squad and the management,” said Samit.

“The new players have settled in very well and we know what to expect from Nannes and Hussey. We’ve got a great environment here which everyone enjoys and I can’t wait to get started.”

Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell expects Patel to play a central role during the next three years.

“Lots has been said about Samit’s fitness but his ability has never been in any doubt and he’s a valued member of our squad,” he said.

“There is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders now that Graeme Swann is established in the England set-up and Samit can use that to demonstrate that he’s on top of his game.”