Samit Patel should be given the chance to re-ignite his England career after Graeme Swann was rested from the final two one-day internationals against Australia because of pain in his elbow.
Patel played for England in their Twenty20 win over West Indies at Trent Bridge last month but that was the only international appearance of the summer for a player who figured in Test and limited-overs games for his country during the winter. Swann’s absence from tomorrow’s game at Chester-le-Street and Tuesday’s
fifth match at Old Trafford is a precautionary measure, as England want to ensure he is fit for the First Test against South Africa, which starts on July 19 at The Kia Oval.
England are 2-0 up in the series, meaning victory tomorrow would clinch it with a game to spare.
Craig Kieswetter remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in the shorter forms and he is keen to push Matt Prior for a place in the Test game. “My Test ambitions have always been strong, even when I had a slight dip in form and got left out of the one-day side,” he said. “I’d love to play Test cricket.
“The fact I have the gloves in two other formats probably puts me in a fairly strong position.”
Jimmy Anderson could return to the team tomorrow after a groin injury but if he is not risked, Chris Woakes is likely to play.
