Perfect Patel puts Essex to the sword
SAMIT Patel might have dismissed his T20 Blast heroics against Essex Eagles as ‘a bit of luck’, but without the veteran spinner’s four-wicket haul Notts almost certainly would not be heading to Finals Day.
With Essex chasing 163 to win, the hosts’ score did not look like it was going to be enough as the Eagles hit 65-1 after seven overs.
But a fluke run-out of danger man Jesse Ryder, who had notched up 47 off 30 balls, was the sliver of light the Outlaws needed. Steven Mullaney deflected Nick Browne’s drive onto the stumps at the nonstriker’s end – Patel did the rest.
Both Mullaney (2-16) and Imran Tahir (1-24) were also excellent as Notts’ slow bowlers turned the screw, but Patel’s career-best figures of 4-20 stole the headlines as the Eagles were dismissed for 123.
“After the first six overs I didn’t think it would be our day,” said Patel, whose side had lost four quarter-finals in the last five years. “You think it’s not going to be our night but we showed great character.
“They got off to a flyer, but we knew we could squeeze them if it got over eight an over. Steven Mullaney and Imran Tahir were outstanding, and I had a bit of luck.”
Patel had already contributed a handy 23 off 17 balls in Notts’ total of 162-7, with Greg Smith bowled by Bopara for 50 off 33 and Riki Wessels continuing his excellent run of form with 36 off 29.
In contrast, Browne’s 22 – before he became Patel’s first victim – was Essex’s second-highest score, with Tom Westley, Ashar Zaidi and Ryan ten Doeschate also falling to the 31year-old for single-figure scores.
Patel added: “This is why you play cricket. Winning trophies is hard enough. We’ve got to do all the right stuff in the semi-final. It’s nice to get to finals day but we want to go on and win it.”