Patel on form as Notts start well

21 April 2009

Samit Patel impressed with the bat for Nottinghamshire today to boost his international chances for the summer.

Patel was dropped from England’s one-day and Twenty20 squad earlier this year for failing to improve his fitness.

He remains in contention for this year’s World Twenty20 and was in convincing form during his side’s first game of the LV= County Championship season against Worcestershire, hitting 95 off 137 balls before he was run out.

Australia batsman Adam Voges made a fine 99 and wicketkeeper Chris Read added 69 not out as Notts reached 334 for five at stumps at Trent Bridge.

Ed Joyce reaches fifty on his Sussex debut, and ended the day on 89 not out against Lancashire

England paceman James Anderson took three wickets for Lancashire against Sussex at Hove.

Anderson removed openers Chris Nash (22) and Michael Yardy (35) and later in the day dismissed Luke Wright caught and bowled for six.

Glen Chapple also struck twice in quick succession before tea but Ed Joyce impressed on his first outing for his new county, helping Sussex close out the day on 247 for five by reaching 89 not out off 218 balls.

In Division Two, Gloucestershire struggled on the opening day and were all out for 155 before tea against Essex.

Hamish Marshall (64) was the only man to make more than 21 at Bristol as David Masters took 3-16 and Ryan ten Doeschate 5-62.

Essex did not make the most convincing of starts to their reply however and were 60 for three at the close of play with Varun Chopra (15) and Jason Gallian (eight) both trapped lbw by James Franklin.

Northamptonshire finished day one of their match against Kent at Canterbury on 268 for five.

Nicky Boje made it to 77 not out by the close, with five fours and one six, while David Willey was unbeaten on 19.

Azhar Mahmood was the pick of the Kent bowlers, ending the day with figures of 2-45.