Samit Patel, England's latest Indian-origin cricketer
London, August 18, 2008 (IANS)

Samit Patel, England's latest Indian-origin international cricketer who joins his country's squad Monday after helping maul South Africa in a one-day match last week, wants to try out his lauded strokeplay against India. Patel, a 23-year-old batsman and left-arm spinner, helped defeat South Africa by six wickets with nearly nine overs to spare by scoring a fluent and unbeaten 60 while turning out for the England Lions.

The all-rounder, who was born in Leicester to Indian parents and plays for Nottinghamshire, is part of the new-look England squad that plays Scotland Monday before launching into the Natwest series against South Africa Wednesday. The Nottinghamshire all-rounder was named in the England team, which also included three recalls as the selectors considered their options for Wednesday's NatWest Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street.

Patel replaced Graeme Swann as England's slow bowling option while Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior was recalled at the top of the order to allow all-rounder Luke Wright to drop back into the middle order.

Today's match also marks the start of Kevin Pietersen's official reign as England one-day captain.

Patel is in line for selection for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the Stanford Twenty20 match in Antigua. But Patel, who has a first-class batting average of 46.07 and has been described by cricket writer Scyld Berry as a “brilliant strokeplayer”, is apparently eyeing England's coming tour of India.

“I've never played cricket in India so it would be a big deal for me if I were picked to go on England's tour of India this winter,” Patel told the Daily Telegraph. “I've got aunts and grandparents over there, and they'd really support me. Ahmedabad would be a big match for me - it's daunting, really,” said Patel whose parents come from Gujarat. The first Test is to be played in Ahmedabad December 11th 2008..

After his strong showing against South Africa, Patel is a strong contender for the NatWest series, which comprises a Twenty20 international and five one-day internationals. Patel has already made an impression in limited-overs cricket this summer, claiming 14 wickets at just 13.5 runs apiece for Nottinghamshire in the Friends Provident Trophy, and his average of 42.33 with the bat includes a century against Durham in the quarter-finals.

"I cannot stress enough how much I want to get out there and play for England. Since I got the call I have been thinking about how I would bowl at particular South African batsmen,” Patel said. "You can't really think too much about it, it has to happen on instinct. I've watched the coverage, but I'm sure we'll have team meetings about them as well."