Patel sees emphatic victory as just first step towards full retribution

Samit Patel is aiming to make sure England’s one-day internationals inflict “payback” on Pakistan for their Test series whitewash.

Alastair Cook’s team began that process by hammering their hosts in the first one-day international on Monday, and Patel is intent on more of the same over three more matches.

He will have his next chance at the Zayed Stadium today, but back-to-back victories in Abu Dhabi will not be enough to satisfy the England all-rounder.

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Patel contributed three wickets, and 17 runs from just 12 balls, as England cashed in on career-best performances from opening batsman Cook and fast bowler Steven Finn to go 1-0 up with a 130-run win.

Patel, however, was clearly as hurt by England’s 3-0 Test defeat here as any of those directly involved and, now he has his chance to do something about it, is determined to punish Pakistan for so thoroughly outplaying the world’s No 1 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, also still smarting from his own experiences in England’s 5-0 ODI trouncing in India last October.

“The boys are geared up for it; we know exactly what it’s going to take.

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“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. That’s the aim. We’ve got to aim high.”

Patel described England’s first win of the year, in an international fixture, as a “statement” of their intent not just here but on the long road to the 2015 World Cup.

“I wouldn’t say it’s relief, it’s just great to get back to winning ways really,” he said.

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“It’s been a tough period that we’ve had, but you’ve got to take the ups and downs and move forward and we’re doing that right now.”

Patel has demonstrated, even in that whitewash in India four months ago, that he can be a major asset for England both with bat and ball.

His left-arm spin can be especially effective in Asian conditions, and he knows how to find and clear the boundaries going in at No 7.

He is accustomed to batting higher, of course, for Nottinghamshire. But the ‘finisher’ role is one for which he unquestionably has the skills and nous.

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After England’s succession of batting collapses in a nightmarish Test series, there is an extra incentive for Patel and others such as Ravi Bopara to stake a claim for a place on next month’s tour of Sri Lanka by making runs here.

Both did that on Monday, Bopara with his seventh ODI half-century as he and Cook put on a crucial hundred stand.