Patel intent on enjoying himself

Nottinghamshire's Samit Patel celebrates reaching his century against Durham

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Life has been a rollercoaster for Samit Patel since he had an unexpected chat with Geoff Miller a fortnight ago.

Prior to picking up his mobile that day the Nottinghamshire all-rounder had been content scoring runs and taking wickets for his county, blissfully unaware that international recognition was a mere call away.

After a string of fine performances, the highlight being 114 against Durham in the Friends Provident Trophy out of Nottinghamshire's meagre 188, the national selector came calling and turned Patel's world upside down.

"When I got the call I was a bit shocked," said the 23-year-old who took 14 wickets at just 13.5 with his left-arm spin in 50-over cricket this season. "Originally I thought Geoff was only calling me for the England Lions games but obviously he added the full squad as well which was very good.

"It's been a bit too quick for me, the last two weeks. My mind has been going 100 miles an hour. I've been overwhelmed that I've been picked. I've just got to keep doing what I've been doing for Notts and hopefully it will work for me. I can't wait to go and play for England."

Patel already has international experience, playing for the under-15s, under-17s and in the same under-19 side as Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Luke Wright, Liam Plunkett and Tim Bresnan.

Facing South Africa is a different proposition from youth team cricket and he could fulfill an ambition tomorrow when the Lions take on the tourists at Grace Road.

Patel took 14 wickets in the Friends Provident Trophy

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The weather might play a part after rain sent the players scurrying for the indoor school on Wednesday. But should play go ahead then Patel and the rest of the Lions will attempt to further dent South Africa's confidence which, despite winning the recent Test series, would have been bruised following defeat at The Oval.

"It's always good to beat a touring team," he added. "It doesn't matter who you are playing for. The boys here will do their best to beat to beat South Africa and make sure they need to work on a lot before the one-day series."

There is also an ideal opportunity for Patel to put himself in the shop window for the upcoming one-day series but the all-rounder, who was born in Leicester, will make sure he takes in the view while on Lions duty.

"It's something new to me, I've never been here before," said Patel, whose idol is Sachin Tendulkar. "To make an impression is one thing but you have got to enjoy it. You can get caught up in personal pressures and distractions but you have just got to go out there and perform. That's what got you there."