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| Patel and Hales led Nottinghamshire to a competitive score of 270-9. |
Samit Patel believes Nottinghamshire have a
squad capable of winning the Championship this season, praising the all-round
depth of the team at Trent Bridge.
“Our squad is strong and the depth we have
got means we can absolutely win the title. With the likes of Paul Franks and
Ajmal Shahzad not playing we have a strong depth to the team. Competition for
places are going to be tough this year.“
Patel led Nottinghamshire’s recovery on the
first day of the season with 93, but is more focused on his contribution to the
team than anything else at present.
“I’m pretty happy, more importantly for the
team. It is all about the team and where we are at as a group and as long as we
win I don’t care.
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| Patel made 93 from 179 balls with 12 fours and 1 six. |
“I’m just focusing on scoring runs for
Notts. It is good to make a contribution and that’s all I am thinking about at
the minute.”
His 85-run stand for the fourth wicket with
Riki Wessels got the hosts out of a tight spot after they had stumbled to 20-3
and Patel feels that they finished the first day of the season in the
ascendancy.
“Partnerships are crucial in any form of
the game. Riki batted exceptionally well and two partnerships over 80 slightly
nudged us the day I reckon.”
Patel was also supported by World Cup
sensation, Alex Hales, and Patel is confident that he has a bright future in
the game after scoring 61 in todays match.
“He has had a good winter with England in
my eyes and everyone knows how good a player he is. It doesn’t surprise me that
he is playing well for us. He has shaped up nicely, left the ball well and done
everything that we have been working on as a team.”
James Anderson continued his menacing
record at Trent Bridge, claiming his seventh five-wicket haul at Nottingham as
he finished with figures of 5-54.
With overcast conditions and early season
wickets tending to favor the bowling side, Patel was quick to praise both teams
on what he viewed as an even days play, as Nottinghamshire closed on 270-9.
“It wasn’t easy but you have got to give it
to the bowlers, they were spot on today. Hopefully the batters will cash in
when it comes to the summer months.
“Anything over 250 was a good score in our
eyes after being stuck in to bat with the conditions of a first day pitch at
Trent Bridge. We are defiantly in the hunt and if we can hone our skills we
will be able to compete and our bowlers can’t wait to get out there on that
wicket.
“The conditions were very bowler friendly.
No one means to get out and Anderson is a world-class bowler. April and May conditions
tend to favor the bowlers and you have to give it to them sometimes.”
Nottinghamshire were on the wrong side of
todays toss, but Patel is looking forward to the arrival of Peter Siddle if
conditions of this nature continue to play a part in the early season fixtures.
“I wish Sid [Siddle] was here tomorrow! We
will be in good shape with Andre [Adams] and Sid on this wicket with these
sorts of conditions. We are backing our four bowlers that we have got in the
dressing room at the moment and they can’t wait to get out on that wicket – we
have got to make the most of the conditions.
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