How will Samit Patel be remembered when his career comes to an end?
In Nottinghamshire, he will forever be revered as a one-club man who, as a swashbuckling all-rounder, is closing in on 20,000 club runs and 650 wickets. Part of title-winning sides in the four-day and one-day game, Patel has been one of the Outlaws’ finest performers year, in year out.
Nationally, though, Patel has his doubters. Despite 56 England caps in all three formats, Patel is widely considered to have failed on the international stage.
As he celebrates his testimonial year at Trent Bridge, the spiky Patel has had his say once more on the critics who claim he isn’t fit enough to represent his country. It’s a criticism that has followed his every call-up for England.
Now, having played in his testimonial game as the Outlaws were beaten by Durham, Patel has hit back. The 32-year-old, who first represented Nottinghamshire’s Second XI at the age of just 14, says he has never missed a single game in his career because of fitness. Indeed, he has a remarkably consistent record of successive appearances for his club.
Patel says he has been “pretty hard done by”. But given he last appeared for his country in 2015, his career at the top level has surely passed him by.
It’s not unfair to say Patel lacks the physique of the average modern day international cricketer. He’s not the quickest – though do spin bowlers need to be? – and he’s perhaps not the most agile. But statistics, in cricket of all sorts, tend to paint a strong picture.
With more than 1,000 runs in 50-over international cricket, and best figures of 5-41 (against South Africa), it’s in that format Patel particularly excelled. He also hit 60 when played in his club position of four during a Twenty20 match in the World Cup against Sri Lanka.
Yet Patel’s international career never truly got going. In and out of the side in all formats, predominantly picked on the sub-continent only, and not being given a consistent run when former club mate Graeme Swann retired, and Monty Panesar’s troubles surfaced. That appeared a golden chance for Patel, but he wasn’t trusted. This was despite excellent club form. He was picked to bat with the tail – despite being part of the top-middle order for Notts, and he was never picked for a home Test – despite being fantastic in home conditions in the County Championship – particularly when helping Notts to the 2010 title.
Patel, who hit a ton to help Notts to a vital win over Lancashire last weekend that went along way to securing their passage into the quarter-finals of the Royal London One Day Cup, insists he wants to play for England again. But it’s unlikely. Unfortunately for him, the selectors are looking elsewhere and are determined to have the fittest, most spectacular England side possible. In their eyes, Patel doesn’t fit into that mould.
He should console himself in the fact that, after 10 years appearing for Notts’ first team, his contribution in the East Midlands will forever be acknowledged.
