Tour opener: Patel stakes selection claim with ton
England player counters spin threat against India ‘A’.
MUMBAI:
Samit Patel hit an impressive century to make a strong bid for selection in England’s team for the first Test against India in Ahmedabad from November 15.
The stocky all-rounder made 104 to steer the tourists to 426 in their first-innings on the final day of the three-day tour opener against India ‘A’ at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai.
The match petered out into a draw as the hosts, trailing by 57 runs on the first-innings, scored 124 for four in their second knock by stumps with Ajinkya Rahane making 54.
England’s weakness against the turning ball was exposed when part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh grabbed a five-wicket haul to follow his 59 in the first innings.
Patel, a right-hand batsman who bowls left-arm spin, hit 14 boundaries during his five-hour vigil that could hand him the number six Test spot ahead of Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow.
Patel made two Test appearances against Sri Lanka earlier this year, scoring 40 runs and taking three wickets, but was ignored for the subsequent home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa.
Pace spearhead James Anderson praised Patel’s effort, saying it capped a good outing for England in the first match of the tour.
“Samit was outstanding, very calm and controlled,” said Anderson. “It will do his confidence a lot of good.
“I think we had a pretty good workout over the three days. We got what we needed to get out of the game. There were two hundreds and a couple of 50s by the batsmen and the bowlers too had a good outing.
“There are two more practice games to go and hopefully we will be ready when the first Test comes.”
Alastair Cook and Patel added 16 runs to the overnight score of 286 for four when the captain was caught behind off seamer Ashok Dinda for 119.
The pair put on 169 for the fifth wicket after England were struggling at 133 for four midway through the afternoon session on Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2012.
Samit Patel hit an impressive century to make a strong bid for selection in England’s team for the first Test against India in Ahmedabad from November 15.
The stocky all-rounder made 104 to steer the tourists to 426 in their first-innings on the final day of the three-day tour opener against India ‘A’ at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai.
The match petered out into a draw as the hosts, trailing by 57 runs on the first-innings, scored 124 for four in their second knock by stumps with Ajinkya Rahane making 54.
England’s weakness against the turning ball was exposed when part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh grabbed a five-wicket haul to follow his 59 in the first innings.
Patel, a right-hand batsman who bowls left-arm spin, hit 14 boundaries during his five-hour vigil that could hand him the number six Test spot ahead of Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow.
Patel made two Test appearances against Sri Lanka earlier this year, scoring 40 runs and taking three wickets, but was ignored for the subsequent home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa.
Pace spearhead James Anderson praised Patel’s effort, saying it capped a good outing for England in the first match of the tour.
“Samit was outstanding, very calm and controlled,” said Anderson. “It will do his confidence a lot of good.
“I think we had a pretty good workout over the three days. We got what we needed to get out of the game. There were two hundreds and a couple of 50s by the batsmen and the bowlers too had a good outing.
“There are two more practice games to go and hopefully we will be ready when the first Test comes.”
Alastair Cook and Patel added 16 runs to the overnight score of 286 for four when the captain was caught behind off seamer Ashok Dinda for 119.
The pair put on 169 for the fifth wicket after England were struggling at 133 for four midway through the afternoon session on Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2012.