Samit Patel is looking to stake a claim for a place with the England Academy after being asked to take part in the ECB's annual 'Spin Event.'

Twenty20 Cup North Group
June 22: Derbyshire Phantoms v Notts Outlaws
Start time: 7pm (floodlit game)

The 22-year-old, who is expected to play a crucial role in Notts Outlaws Twenty20 Cup campaign, will be travelling down to the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University next week for the event, which includes many of the country's top young cricketers.

The group is asked to tackle a range of match-based scenarios designed to test and develop some of the most promising spin-bowlers in the first-class system.

Patel said: "It's nice to have got the call and I'm looking forward to it. Maybe it's an indication that I'm in the thoughts of the selectors for an Academy spot in the winter, which would be great.

"When you look at the squad of players named, it seems to include the young players who have been scoring runs so far this season and is an opportunity for me to impress the right kind of people."

Patel will feature as a batsman in the three-day programme, running from June 25-27, but will be free to return to Trent Bridge to play in the two Twenty20 Cup fixtures on Monday and Wednesday.

The event will feature a number of the best young spinners in the country today, developing their skills under the guidance of specialist coaches to include ECB spin bowling coach David Parsons, former England spinners John Childs and Jack Birkenshaw, and ex-England captain Mike Gatting.

Parsons said: "Following last year's success we are pleased to be able to repeat the event.

"The format provides the opportunity for many of the most promising young batsmen and spinners to test themselves against one another, to learn more about the game and to develop their own games technically and tactically."

In the meantime though, Patel has been giving his six-hitting skills some practice as the Outlaws prepare to start the Twenty20 Cup with a trip to Derby.

He's approaching the competition in confident mood after responding to being dropped from the Championship side with more runs.

He added: "Twenty20 means it's all go and we're certainly ready for another run to the final. We've got the batsmen to do the job and all of them have been in form.

"I don't think Mick Newell could have asked me to do any more than scoring 142 for the Second XI and 89 not out last week after I was dropped.

"Hopefully I can keep contributing in the next couple of weeks and make sure the big crowds are entertained."

Squad news:
Paul Franks received treatment on an ankle injury last week, which should enable him to play a full part in the group fixtures.
AJ Harris is unlikely to feature until next week after hurting his knee and left thumb in the Friends Provident Trophy victory over Lancashire.
Will Jefferson comes into the squad for the competition, with Jason Gallian rested.

Squad:
Fleming (capt), Swann, Jefferson, Hussey, Shafayat, Patel, Read (wkt), Ealham, Clough, Ferley, Shreck, Franks, Wagh.