A Nottinghamshire stalwart for 22 years, 60 England appearances across all formats and multiple trophies won along the way, it’s difficult to highlight one standout singular moment in Samit Patel’s glistening career.
However, the 2017 Vitality Blast Finals Day was an occasion where all-rounder Patel oozed his class and dominated both games as his Outlaws side claimed the trophy at the end of the day.
𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 ⭐
A stunning Finals Day performance from Samit! 👏
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The semi-final saw stern opposition in Hampshire Hawks, the side who defeated Derbyshire Falcons in the quarter-finals previously.
Batting first, the Outlaws side were 71 for 3 when Patel arrived at the crease, in need of stability after Riki Wessels made a brisk 48 off 27 balls at the top of the order.
Patel’s big-game experience was perfect for this situation, contributing a well-measured 35 and enabling the lower-order batters to come in at the death overs and propel the score up to 169.
With ball in hand, the left-arm spinner Patel knew an early breakthrough would be key against a quality batting line-up, containing Pakistan star Shahid Afridi, fresh off the back of a rapid T20 century against Derbyshire.
From a loosener, Afridi pulled Patel’s first ball down the throat of Alex Hales in the deep to send the Outlaws players into wild celebration.
Samit’s afternoon would get better as he ran out former England opening batter Michael Carberry from a direct hit, with the Outlaws securing passage into the final with a 23-run victory.
The battle for the Blast trophy saw a face-off against Birmingham Bears, a tough opposition on any day, never mind in a final at their home ground.
The Bears won the toss and decided to field first, seeing instant reward by reducing Notts to 30 for 3 inside five overs.
Next man to the crease at five was Patel, a player who has dealt with pressure situations throughout his career and on many occasions had to produce either a spell with the ball, or a great innings with the bat to dig his side out of trouble.
After a watchful start of 8 off 14 balls, the right-handed batter cut loose by smashing two boundaries off the 10th over to provide the innings some momentum alongside Brendan Taylor.
The pair added a partnership worth 132 runs as the Outlaws kept up the scoring rate to try and post an imposing total that looked scarcely believable after their poor start.
The experienced all-rounder reached his half-century off 36 balls before finishing unbeaten on 64, and the Outlaws set the Bears 191 to win after a late Dan Christian cameo.
Patel’s super final would continue and although he did not contribute with a wicket off his bowling, the big game player has one last bit of magic to wow the Edgbaston crowd.
Fielding at mid-off to batter Ed Pollock, the left-hander smashed the ball towards Patel and decided to try to take a quick single.
Clearly, Pollock had not watched Samit in the semi-final.
Another chance of a run-out for Patel, another direct hit, another chance taken.
Removing a player of Pollock’s ability early on, when the score read 16 for 2, was a huge boost for Patel’s side and prevented the Bears from getting off to a good start in a tricky chase.
Regular wickets continued to fall during the innings, with the Outlaws eventually claiming victory by 22 runs.
Deservedly, Patel collected the Player of the Match award in what had been a remarkable individual day for the all-rounder.
Derbyshire supporters will have the delight at watching our new white ball captain in action this season putting in match-winning performances and using all his experience of performing in big matches to help Derbyshire push for silverware this season.
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