Samit Patel backs England to profit from players’ IPL experience

A second wave of tickets for the ICC World Twenty20 in England will go on sale on Thursday, with Samit Patel, who broke into the one-day side last year, insisting that prospects for the host country will be enhanced through exposure to the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the big event.

Patel said that he was surprised to discover a fortnight ago that Delhi Daredevils have registered his name for the IPL auction in Goa on February 6. If they press ahead with their approach, the Nottinghamshire all-rounder will be lining up alongside Virender Sehwag, Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori in April and May.
“I did not see the dollar signs when I heard of Delhi’s interest,” Patel said. “If I am signed I will see it as a warm-up for the World Twenty20.

“Playing at international level is all about nerves and staying strong under pressure, which improves through playing in big games. Being around some of these great players would be a brilliant experience, just sitting in the same changing-room talking about cricket and listening.

“It would be a massive learning curve and I think any England player would bring back knowledge to filter into the squad and take us forward.”
England fell at the Super Eight stage of the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, when they included specialists such as James Kirtley, Chris Schofield and Darren Maddy, but Patel expects a better show when the second tournament begins on June 5, when England play Holland at Lord’s.

“Knowing the pitches and conditions gives us a good chance,” he said.
Nottinghamshire also expect to lose Graeme Swann to the IPL for the opening weeks of the season and Ryan Sidebottom is still unsure whether to commit, but the county have been led to believe that Stuart Broad may decide not to participate this year. (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article5594456.ece)