Sky cricket analyst and former England coach David Lloyd sung the praises of Samit Patel after the Nottinghamshire batsman was named as Metro newspaper’s Player of the Month for June.

Patel polled 51 per cent of the online vote and beat off five rivals to collect the award following two match-winning knocks against Derbyshire and Lancashire in the two opening group matches of the Twenty20 Cup.

Writing in the Metro, Lloyd said: “It’s absolutely no surprise to me Samit has taken this award. From a Twenty20 viewpoint, and his performances in that competition were the basis for his nomination, he really excites me.

“What you need in Twenty20 cricket are power players who can score runs for fun. These players are worth their weight in gold and can win games on their own - and that’s exactly what Samit does for Nottinghamshire.

“I know him well as I’ve been involved with him since he was in the England Under-19s. He is a confident lad who can go far and this award is well deserved.”