Samit Patel says his Nottinghamshire and MCC teammate Jake Ball has progressed “in leaps and bounds” during the last year, and in 2016 he’s expecting even more.
Ball’s 67 wickets for Notts in 2015 earned him international recognition over the winter, as well as a call-up, alongside Patel, for the MCC’s champion county fixture against Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi.
Patel knows from first hand experience how well the 25-year-old is bowling ahead of the new county campaign having been on the receiving end in the nets.
“Going to Abu Dhabi, it can be a very good way to prepare for a season because it means taking all the initiative for yourself,” he said ahead of jetting to the UAE.
“There aren’t many coaches, so the likes of myself and Jake will buddy-up and work together.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds. Last summer we saw that he’d had made great strides from his work during the winter.
“Jake impressed all of us and earned his England Lions call-up all the way.
“Now he’s still progressing nicely and bowling very well during the build-up to the new season.
“His game is in a very good place. I’m looking forward to seeing how he starts.”
Ball impressed in the first innings of the champion county match, taking 2-41 from 14 overs, whilst Patel also chipped in with rthe dismissal of Gary Ballance for 105.
After a winter working on his game with England, Patel was relishing the opportunity to put it all into practice.
“It’s a massive privilege to represent the MCC in what is quite an important game,” he said.
“To play against the champions is a brilliant way to start the season. I’m looking forward to it because it’s an extra, competitive, first class game.
“It’s a good challenge to get a win over Yorkshire, but we’ll be doing our best.
“My record against them at home isn’t bad, but at Headingley it’s terrible.
“It’s important for me to get some runs and wickets against them, hopefully in Abu Dhabi but even more so during the season.
“I’ve done a lot of bowling and hitting in the nets. Now I can’t wait to get outside and play in a proper game.
“I’ve had a brilliant winter with England. There was some 12th man and drinks carrying, but I learned a lot, especially on the bowling front.
“Hopefully I can take it into the season and get some wickets for Nottinghamshire.”
The 2015 season saw dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.