Patel liking life at the top

By Bruce Talbot

Samit Patel is relishing life at the top after playing a crucial part in helping Nottinghamshire take over as County Championship leaders.

The 27-year-old took seven wickets - out-bowling Sussex's left-arm spinner Monty Panesar - before scoring an unbeaten 50 as Notts chased down a ticklish target of 145 to complete a seven-wicket win at Hove, their first in the Championship there since 1983.

It enabled Notts to open up a single-point lead over Warwickshire, who have played a game less, although the top two are not scheduled to meet for the first time until the end of August.

All-rounder Patel said: "We have sometimes come unstuck away from home in the Championship so that was one of the best wins I have been involved in.

"It's great to be up there at the top and it's going to make the rest of the season very interesting and the two matches against Warwickshire should be cracking games. But there is a lot of cricket to be played before then and in this division any side can beat any other in certain conditions."

Patel hailed Rikki Wessels' first-innings 197 as "outstanding" but was more modest about his own important contribution with bat and ball.

He added: "We wanted to show intent with bat and ball on the final day and we did that. Being positive with the bat is part of my game and bowling-wise it was a good game for me. At times I could vary my pace and attack and at other times I was happy to sit in, go for two an over and build pressure."



Date: 28/05/2012 17:34:41 by Bruce Talbot
In: Today | Nottinghamshire |