Samit Patel is looking forward to putting on a show before the television cameras this afternoon when his Notts Outlaws side visit New Road to face the Worcestershire Rapids in the NatWestT20 Blast competition.
Twelve months ago Patel scooped the man-of-the-match award in the corresponding fixture, hitting 30 runs before a miserly spell of three for 17 swung the contest firmly towards the Outlaws.
“I remember that match well,” confirms the 31-year old. “Darren Sammy finished our innings off nicely, hitting three sixes in the final over.
"Then we started off ok with the ball and squeezed them in the middle of the innings with myself and Mull (Steven Mullaney) slowing down the run rate. Hopefully we can stick to the same formula this year and do well again.”
Patel has made a habit of starring in televised matches, scooping the man-of-the-match award in the 2013 Lord’s final, as well as in plenty of other important one-day contests.
“I don’t want to put the mockers on it but I generally thrive when the cameras are around,” says Patel. “As a team we generally go pretty well and want to keep that going if we can.
“In our dressing room we do believe it focuses the attention a little more knowing that so many people are watching.
"It was disappointing when our home game with Derbyshire was washed out last week because we always get large crowds at Trent Bridge and they create a terrific atmosphere and we’re hoping for the same at New Road on Saturday.
“It’s a great place to play cricket, with the cathedral in the background. You’re never sure what you are going to find there though.
"Sometimes you get there and the wicket is green and sometimes you get there and it can spin a bit and stay pretty low and slow, so I’ve gone pretty well when it has been like that in the past.”
