Patel slams fifty as Eng score 521 against Haryana

Ahmedabad, India: Samit Patel produced a third successive knock of 50-plus for England, slamming 67 against Haryana on the second day Friday of a four-day practice game to boost his chances of playing in the four-test series against India. Patel’s knock helped England score 521 in its first innings with wicketkeeper Matt Prior also chipping in with a brisk 41. At stumps, Haryana was 172-4 in reply with opener Rahul Dewan on 77 and Sandeep Singh on 2. Patel, who scored 104 in the first practice game against India A and 60 in the second match against Mumbai A, struck 13 fours during his 105-ball knock on Friday. [caption id=“attachment_521063” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  England’s cricketer Samit Patel bats during a practice match against Haryana. AP[/caption] England could add only 113 after resuming on 408-3, with spinners Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav finishing with four wickets each. Patel, one of two left-arm spinners in the team along with Monty Panesar, made the most of another batting chance and could partner offspinner Graeme Swann as England hopes to do well on slow Indian pitches in an effort to win its first test series here in 28 years. Swann is not playing in this game as he had to fly home to see his ill daughter but is expected back in time for the first test in Ahmedabad from 15 November. Scores: England 521 (Kevin Pietersen 110, Alastair Cook 97, Nick Compton 74, Samit Patel 67, Ian Bell 62, Jonathan Trott 46, Matt Prior 41; Amit Mishra 4-67, Jayant Yadav 4-110) led Haryana 172-4 (Rahul Dewan 77 not out, Sunny Singh 55; Tim Bresnan 2-47). AP