Patel: We’re out for revenge with whitewash of our own
STILL smarting from the whitewash Pakistan inflicted on them in the recent Test matches, England are determined to give Misbah-ul-Haq’s side a taste of their own medicine by sealing a 4-0 clean sweep in the current one-day series, according to all-rounder Samit Patel.
After Pakistan’s spinners made a mockery of England’s world No1 Test ranking earlier in the tour, Alastair Cook’s side took a significant step towards accelerating the healing process on Monday with a comprehensive 130-run victory in the first of four one-day internationals.
England are back in action against Pakistan today looking to double their lead in the four-match series but Patel, who contributed some important tail-end runs and took the wicket of home skipper Misbah in Abu Dhabi, admits only a 4-0 win will represent “payback” for the damage Pakistan inflicted on Andrew Strauss’s Test side.
“We’re looking to absolutely nail this series, to beat them 4-0, whitewash them – obviously a bit of payback for the Test series,” said the 27-year-old. “The boys are geared up for it; we know what it’s going to take.
“It’s important to highlight the skill levels we need against their spinners. It would be a great achievement to beat them 4-0 in their own backyard. But that’s the aim.”
Patel described England’s first win of the year in an international fixture as a “statement” of their intent.
“I wouldn’t say it’s relief; it’s just great to get back to winning ways,” he said. “It’s been a tough period, but you’ve got to take the ups and downs really and move forward.”
Despite failures in the series opener for Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan, who have struggled with the bat throughout the tour, England are set to name an unchanged side with Jos Buttler still unavailable due to split webbing on his left hand.