Mick Newell has backed Samit Patel to make a mark on the international scene following his inclusion in the England One Day Squad for the NatWest series against South Africa.
Patel is joined by Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad and will also play alongside Darren Pattinson for England Lions.
“Samit has done very well in all forms of the game and his performances for Notts have warranted this call-up,” said Newell.
“It’s particularly pleasing that a local player has come through the Notts academy and made it into the national squad. A lot of people have coached him and helped him but he’s done a lot for himself as well.
“He’s a very committed player and this is the opportunity that he’s been waiting for.”
Pattinson will play for the Lions against South Africa at having taken two wickets on his Test debut at Headingley in July.
“Darren will benefit from playing in the Lions game and it’s a clear indicator that he’s not been forgotten,” said Newell.
“It gives him another chance to play against South Africa without the pressure of a Test Match environment and hopefully he’ll do well.
“We’ll have to look at player availability when our England players go away and it’s certainly going to stretch the squad but it will also give some of our players a chance to shine in important fixtures.”
Kevin Pietersen has been installed as the England captain following the resignation of Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood and Newell has backed the former Notts batsmen to handle the pressure that the role will bring.
“I was disappointed that Michael Vaughan made the decision to step down because a lot of people still believe that he’s the best person to captain England in Test Match Cricket but it’s a personal decision and one that he felt he had to make,” said Newell.
“That said, I think KP was the only man to replace him with England looking for one player to captain both squads.
“He was the only realistic option and tactically he’ll be fine. He can handle himself well with the press and I don’t think it will affect his game because he’s mature enough to cope with the pressure.”
Patel was captained by Pietersen in a Second XI Trophy game between Notts and Lancashire in 2002. Pietersen scored 113 and put on 176 for the fourth wicket alongside Will Smith.
“KP hit a century and took a wicket and I got 23 not out,” said Patel.
“I can’t remember too much about his style of captaincy but he’s got character and he brings character out of those around him as well.
“He has the respect of his team mates and the opposition players and I think that he’ll take to the role very quickly.
“I’ve made good progress at Notts and it’s been a lifelong ambition to take that forward for England.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet but it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I’ve been through the England ranks with the under 15s, 17s and 19s and the end goal has always been to play for the senior side.”
England squad for 4th npower Test
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire) (capt)
Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Steve Harmison (Durham)
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
England squad for The NatWest Series and NatWest International Twenty20
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire) (capt)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
England Lions squad v South Africa (Thursday 14th August at Leicester)
Robert Key (Kent) (capt)
Kabir Ali (Worcestershire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Simon Jones (Worcestershire)
Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Chris Tremlett (Hampshire)
James Tredwell (Kent)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
England Lions squad v South Africa (Saturday 16th August at Derby)
Ed Joyce (Middlesex) (capt)
Kabir Ali (Worcestershire)
Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)
Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire)
Dimitri Mascarenhas (Hampshire)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Darren Pattinson (Nottinghamshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)
England Fixtures
npower Test Match Series
Thursday 7 August 2008 - England v South Africa, The Brit Oval
England Lions
Thursday 14 August - England Lions v South Africa - Grace Road
Saturday 16 August - England Lions v South Africa – County Ground
One Day International
Monday 18 August - Scotland v England - Edinburgh
NatWest International Twenty20 Match
Wednesday 20 August - England v South Africa - Riverside
NatWest One Day International Series
Friday 22 August - England v South Africa - Headingley Carnegie
Tuesday 26 August - England v South Africa - Trent Bridge
Friday 29 August - England v South Africa - The Brit Oval
Sunday 31 August- England v South Africa - Lord's
Wednesday 03 September - England v South Africa - Cardiff Stadium