One day, somewhere, a cricket blogger will write an article about Samit Patel without mentioning grub. But until that time, I’m going to continue writing headlines like the one above. Sorry Samit. As some form of consolation, however, we’re tempted to endorse Patel’s claims for a place in the test side. First of all, his nearest competitor for the sixth batting spot, Ravi Bopara, has injured his side. Consequently, he’s unlikely to be able to bowl for a while. Patel’s bowling, on the other...
England edge home
England 169-4 (19.3 overs) beat India 165 by six wickets It’s England 5 India 0, but last night’s T20 was far closer than any of the test matches. We only just edged it – with ‘edge’ being the operative word. With Bopara and Patel at the crease, it looked like England might blow it from what, in T20 terms, was an impregnable position. It was only sheer luck, and the edge of Patel’s bat, which saw us home: with ten needed off the final over, two streaky boundaries down to third man proved...
Weigh in again, Sam
Tubby or not tubby, fat is the question for Samit Patel – and Andy Flower obviously thinks it’s the former. After being named in the preliminary squad for the World Cup, Patel had a real chance of making the final fifteen. However, Flower revealed yesterday that the Nottinghamshire all-rounder was discounted because his waistline has expanded to Mike Gatting proportions – despite the fact that the England management had specifically asked him to get fit. It’s not the first time this has...
