Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel has agreed a contract extension which ties him to the club until the end of the 2010 season.
Patel enjoyed a rise to prominence this year, culminating in a call-up to the England one-day squad in August and topped Nottinghamshire’s LV County Championship batting averages with 53.88.
“Samit has taken huge strides recently and this contract rewards him for his standing in the team,” said Notts Director of Cricket Mick Newell.
“He has matured as a person and a player and he has serious ambitions to play test cricket for England.”
Patel was the standout performer as England clinched the NatWest Series with a convincing win over South Africa at The Oval in August.
He took 5-41 as the tourists were dismissed 126 runs short of their target, helping to secure his place in the England squad for the Stanford Super Series.
“I’m very happy at Notts and even though my previous deal didn’t expire until 2009, I was keen to agree an extension,” said Patel.
“It has been a good year for me and for the team and I’m confident that we will be able to challenge for honours next season.”