Samit Patel is ready to take out his latest England frustration on the Lancashire Lightning tonight.

The Notts Outlaws all-rounder has scored 324 runs in a strong start to the County Championship season, however, that was not enough to get him in the squad for the upcoming limited overs games against Sri Lanka.

Patel admits he had been hoping to be in the side for the first time since a Twenty20 against New Zealand last February.

But he is now forced to shift focus and carry on that good form in tonight's Natwest T20 Blast opener at Trent Bridge.

He said: "I'm pretty disappointed not to be involved considering the start I've had but cricket changes quickly so you never know what will happen next. I've just got to keep going with Notts and see what happens.

"I feel pretty good. I'm hitting it pretty well at the moment. We've got the Lancashire game next up to try and impress again. It's a big game so definitely one I'm looking forward to."

Patel knows as well as anyone how victory in Twenty20 can be torn from your grip in an instant. The all-rounder was within touching distance of guiding Notts into the final in 2010, only for Kieron Pollard's incredible catch at long on to get him out and give Somerset the narrowest of wins on Duckworth Lewis.

Now Patel and his team-mates stand at the start of the long road back to finals day as they kick-off another campaign in front of the Sky TV cameras.

The 29-year-old feels the unpredictable nature of the game means bold predictions are not wise before a ball has even been bowled.

"T20 is a funny game. It happens in a rush. If one person has a good day you lose the game," he said. "As a squad we are in a good position. We've got good players but we've got to play good cricket and take each ball as it comes.

"Hopefully it's our year. We've threatened numerous years without actually winning it."

"Hopefully we get to and beyond the quarter-finals and to a finals day again. It would be massive for the club if we can win it."

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Notts Outlaws begin their Natwest T20 Blast campagin tonight, under the Trent Bridge floodlights. Tickets are moving quickly, don't miss out:

Ticket hotline: 0844 8118711

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Notts Outlaws v Lancashire Lightning
On the day ticket prices:
Adults £16
Under 21s £12
Over 65s £12
Under 16s £8 
Family (2+2) £40