Patel class impresses Read

Samit Patel could be a Test player in the near future, according to Chris Read

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Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read is convinced of Samit Patel’s Test potential after he helped guide his team to second in the LV County Championship Division One table.

England one-day player Patel could be involved on the Test tour of India this winter after some outstanding performances for Nottinghamshire, whose bid to win the LV County Championship title was foiled at the death as Durham claimed a maiden success.

Patel’s second half-century of the contest proved futile as Hampshire triumphed by a whopping 203 runs at Trent Bridge.

Faced with a 442-run target, Patel batted with typical elegance after the midlands county were reduced to 48 for three at lunch on the final day.

“Samit has come on fantastically,” said Read. “He had an uncharacteristically slow start with the bat but his bowling has come on leaps and bounds this season.

“He has been one of our best one-day bowlers, an asset in the four-day game on drier wickets and his form in the second half of the season with the bat has been simply sublime.

“I see him as a Test player of the future. In my mind he is a batsman who can be used as a second spinner.

“In one-day cricket he is good enough to be used as your spinner as he has proved with England.

“If he played in a Test squad I would have him batting in the top six or seven and he would be the second spinner and he would do a very fine job.

“They have to pick the best two spinners in the country (for India). If they pick a third spinner who can bat in the top seven then that might be a way in for Samit.”