Questions on his fitness might have long since become a broken record for Samit Patel – but this week they were an unfortunate byproduct of his brilliant early season form.

As far back as 2009 the Nottinghamshire all-rounder found his England ambitions hindered by a perceived lack of application on behalf of the selectors and coaches.

What has become an often tedious subplot to a career that has delivered plenty but promised even more reared its head again when Patel looked a class above in making 99 against Durham in the LV= County Championship.

Such efforts have seen him labelled the best player in the domestic game this season by Sky Sports pundit David Lloyd and with more than 600 runs under his belt already, calls for an England recall are growing.

On that, Notts director of cricket Mick Newell, who just happens to be an England selector these days, said: "His name comes up all the time in selection meetings. He knows his name comes up and he knows why he doesn't always get the nod.

"He has to show the willing. It would infuriate many of us who have never had the talent or the opportunity. The cricket talent is there."

Patel has heard such words before, no doubt in more direct terms from a straight talker such as Newell.

At 29 some would question if a leopard can change its spots but Patel insists he is working to add to his 59 international caps – and his run haul, starting with tonight's Natwest T20 Blast game at home to Durham Jets (6pm).

 

"I've got to work harder and make sure my cricket is good,” said Samit.

"I'm absolutely putting the hours in, we all do on a regular basis.

"It's getting better as I said and hopefully I'm working in the right direction with the fitness guys.

"I'm don't think I'm too far away from where I want to be. I'm going pretty well in that sense."

He's undoubtedly going well in the cricketing sense. The all-rounder has 507 Championship runs and 97 from two T20 matches.

Couple that with nine useful wickets from both forms and Patel is making the most compelling of cases to get into Peter Moores' England squad in any of the three forms of the game.

Notts need more of that magic tonight when they host Durham looking to bounce back from last week's 24-run loss to Worcestershire Rapids.

Patel has previously told the Post that 'scary totals' are possible from the Outlaws' talented line-up, but he is quick to point out that it won't always come off in the shorter format as they struggled to 136 for nine last Friday.

"T20 works like that sometimes. Crash, bang, wallop doesn't always come off," he said.

"That's what happened against Worcester. They bowled pretty well and played better cricket than us.

"The boys are in a good place though. We've got a good squad and we are raring to go. Hopefully we can bounce back against Durham in front of a packed house."

Durham look to be hampered going into the game as they hosted Lancashire Lightning last night, meaning they will have gone to Nottingham and back in the space of 48 hours.

"I don't know how that will pan out for them," said Patel.

"In T20 you need rhythm, so it could help them. Last year we had blocks where you played T20 on a regular basis.

"This year we are waiting for Friday nights to come around.

"There will be some tired boys in the Durham dressing room after travelling up and down the M1 but it's only 40 overs of cricket.

"Our job is to work hard and stay focussed."

Durham are short of bowlers with the likes of Scott Borthwick, Graham Onions, Mark Wood and Jamie Harrison set to miss out.

That is certainly not the case for Notts, who will have the likes of Peter Siddle and Stuart Broad fit but not involved.

"We are lucky with the strength in depth we have. Hopefully we utilise that on Friday night.

"We've got great resources," he said.

As for Patel's aims for the season, he is keeping his sights broad and seeing what rewards that brings.

"I don't really set targets. I just said I wanted a big year.

"I've got to keep scoring runs here and see where it takes me," he said.

Patel came desperately close to a second century of the summer with his 99 and he is determined to get to get three figures next time he is in a similar position.

"It was very disappointing to miss out.

"I've had two knocks down here, against Lancashire and Durham, that have ended in the 90s," he said.

"It's disappointing not to get a hundred in front of the home crowd but if things keep going like that then hopefully I'll convert the next chance I get."

Read reports, previews, news and features from Matt Davies in the Nottingham Post

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast fixture and ticket information:

v Durham Jets – Friday 30 May 6pm BUY TICKETS OR BUY FROM OUR TICKET OFFICE ALL DAY
v Birmingham Bears – Friday 13 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 20 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Yorkshire Vikings – Saturday 28 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Sunday 20 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

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