Andre Adams says the whole Nottinghamshire dressing room has urged Samit Patel to get fitter in order to fulfill his England potential.
Selectors have said Patel's best route back into the England set-up is to drop pounds, having been overlooked for the latest Test squad despite scoring more than 600 LV= County Championship runs this season.
Adams says the all-rounder is on the right track, but those who say he is unlucky not to be lining up against Sri Lanka on Thursday are wrong.
"Samit isn't unlucky,” said Adams.
“It's pretty obvious what he needs to do to be an England player. He's been told as much plenty of times – lose weight and get fit . He's refused to do that so far.
"He can bat, bowl and field but they've told him what they want. They want someone with the commitment to do it.
"The whole dressing room has had a word with him plenty of times about it. The guys with the greatest gift are often the most difficult to get through to. It's always the ones with the touch of genius.
"Losing weight isn't the hardest thing to do. Eat better and exercise more.
"The last few weeks have seen him make a breakthrough. If he keeps the attitude he's showing now he can have a long Test career. The message is clear.
"I think he's taking it on board. He did really well in the bleep test the other day and he was buzzing.
"We were all happy for him. We all want him to succeed because he's a great guy. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. He has to do it for himself."
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