Samit Patel is determined to overcome the disappointment of not being selected for England’s Performance Programme this winter with a mountain of runs in 2008.
The 22-year-old hit four hundreds in the LV County Championship this year and also produced several eye-catching innings in one-day cricket, including two consecutive Man of the Match performances in the Twenty20 Cup.
But it was not enough to be picked for the Academy squad, with Patel’s only consolation being his involvement on the ECB’s Skill Set Programme.
He said: “It was a real disappointment not to get on the Academy but I’ve got to go out next year and prove my case.
“If I produce the runs and performances in Division One then I’m sure I would be moving towards my ultimate ambition of playing for England.”
Patel has spent the past three off-seasons playing club cricket in Australia, but is aiming to follow Will Jefferson’s example from last year and earn selection for England A through his efforts on the Skill Set Programme.
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