Buzzin Cricket

England spinners Samit Patel and Graeme Swann will play no part in England’s One Day International series against the West Indies despite being named in the original squad.

Graeme Swann is to return home for surgery on his elbow injury as he tries to ensure his availability for the test matches in England this summer. Gareth Batty – who hasn’t played for England in three years – will take his place.

As for Samit Patel, well the reasons for his exclusion are all the more disappointing. The all-rounder has been left out of the squad after ignoring ‘repeated warnings’ over his fitness.

The heavily built Nottinghamshire man has failed to reach the ‘acceptable standards of fitness for international cricket’ according to the ECB and will instead remain with the England Lions on their tour of New Zealand.

Everyone connected with Samit Patel has got to be disappointed with this outcome. The 24-year-old had almost secured his place in the limited overs side and now he will have to start from scratch again. Surely he wouldn’t have simply ignored requests to improve his fitness?

Speaking about the situation, National selector Geoff Miller said that Samit Patel needs to ‘understand and grasp the fact’ that fitness levels are so crucial if you want to perform at the highest level.

Geoff Miller went on to say that Samit Patel’s fitness had actually ‘regressed’ between his first and his second fitness assessment.

England cricket director Hugh Morris has revealed he finds the situation ‘extremely frustrating’ and that the team had no choice but to ‘deselect him from the tour’.

As for who will replace Samit Patel, well Adil Rashid will remain with the ODI squad after being part of the test match set-up to gain experience. However, another spinner could be set for a call-up, with Monty Panesar the most likely option as he is already in the Caribbean.

At this stage, betting on the England v West Indies Fifth Test appears to be erring towards an England victory.