Notts all-rounder Samit Patel believes that England are in good shape ahead of their tour of India despite suffering a heavy defeat against Stanford Superstars in last Saturday’s showpiece game in Antigua.

Patel top-scored for England with 22 but Superstars captain Chris Gayle and former Welbeck batsman Andre Fletcher led the home side to victory by ten wickets.

“Training has gone really well over here (in Antigua) and players are in good form but it was just that one-off game where we didn’t quite click together,” said Patel, who recently signed a contract extension at Notts tying him to the club until the end of the 2010 season.

“It will be interesting for me (in India). It’s going to be good fun and the guys are looking forward to it.

“There’ll be a lot of pressure I think but it’s just going to be good fun to play against some of the best players in the world in front of crowds that I haven’t seen before.

“It’s a great learning curve for me and it will be great fun to beat India in India as an Indian.”


England in India - Tour Schedule

Sunday, 09 November 2008
Tour Match
Mumbai v England, Mumbai, 3:30

Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Tour Match
Mumbai v England, Mumbai, 3:30

Friday, 14 November 2008
One Day International Series
First One Day International
India v England, Rajkot, 3:30

Monday, 17 November 2008
One Day International Series
Second One Day International
India v England, Indore, 3:30

Thursday, 20 November 2008
One Day International Series
Third One Day International
India v England, Kanpur, 3:30

Sunday, 23 November 2008
One Day International Series
Fourth One Day International
India v England, Bangalore, 9:00

Wednesday, 26 November 2008
One Day International Series
Fifth One Day International
India v England, Cuttack, 9:00

Saturday, 29 November 2008
One Day International Series
Sixth One Day International
India v England, Guwahati, 3:30

Tuesday, 02 December 2008
One Day International Series
Seventh One Day International
India v England, Delhi, 9:00

Friday, 05 December 2008
Tour Match
TBC v England, Baroda, 4:00

Thursday, 11 December 2008
Test Match Series
First Test Match
India v England, Ahmedabad, 4:00

Friday, 19 December 2008
Test Match Series
Second Test Match
India v England, Mumbai, 4:00