Samit Patel began last season with a championship century against Hampshire, an innings that set him on his way for a season which saw him welcomed back into the international fold after a 3-year absence.
That recall came in ODIs against India and Ireland and followed on from a century for the England Lions against Sri Lanka at Derby.

As well as furthering his international aspirations, Samit also enjoyed good form for Nottinghamshire with both bat and ball. He passed 1,000 first class runs, aided by his Lions efforts and also took 38 first class wickets – the best haul of his career.

Against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl in July 2011 he took 7-68 and match figures of 11-111 with his slow left-arm spin, another best.

Samit’s bowling is clearly being viewed by the England management as being beneficial to the make-up of the side. Nottinghamshire supporters are used to seeing him bat high in the order, where he possesses an array of attacking shots and a very healthy average. For England, he is seen as a bowling number 7 in both Twenty20 and ODI cricket.

A member of the winning County Championship squad in both 2007 and 2010 Samit has made more appearances for Notts in Twenty20 cricket than any other player and, adding testament to his worth as an all-rounder, has scored more runs and taken more wickets than anyone else in that format.

His selection for the 2-Test tour to Sri Lanka in March 2012 seemed to indicate that he is now being considered for a place at the very highest level of the game.