Samit Patel felt his first day as Nottinghamshire captain had gone pretty well, with Surrey closing on 256 for six.
The Notts all-rounder took over the armband for the very first time after Steven Mullaney was forced to miss the County Championship clash with Surrey at the Oval.
“I think it’s about even-Stevens at the end,” he said. “I thought we stuck in really well all day.
“We were a bit undecided at the toss. It turned out to be a decent wicket but there is a little bit in it for the seamers and a little bit there for the spinner, so it will be interesting to see as the game goes on.
“We had Surrey exactly where we wanted them at 30 for three but you are going to get good partnerships coming along and Foakesy and Rocky (Stoneman) played excellently.
“Hopefully when it’s our turn to bat we can do the same.
“The bowlers stuck at it and we bowled really well but it’s all about tomorrow now to see if we can bowl Surrey put for under 300 and pile the runs on.”
Patel revealed he had no idea he would be leading the side for the first time just before the start of play.
However, the Notts stalwart was pleased with his first day in charge.
“I was told around 10am, when Mull couldn’t make it with a bad back and Mooresy (Head Coach Peter Moores) told me then, so it’s been a pretty proud day to represent my county as captain for the first time.
“It was different to lead the team out at the front, after the umpires. There’s certainly a different feel to it and now I know how Mull feels when he does it.
“The morning huddle was fine and it was more important that we set the tone with our new ball bowlers which they did.
“England Under 19s is the last time I captained anybody but obviously we have all played a lot of cricket and I’ve played under a lot of captains since then, but it’s been great to do it.”
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