Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel has taken a step closer to a return to international cricket after being named in the England Lions squad to tour South Africa.

Patel will take part in a limited overs series on the tour and hopes to force his way into contention for a place in England’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup.

“I’m just excited to get a gig and it’s up to me to make an impression at the performance camp in Sri Lanka and the tour to South Afirca,” said Patel.

“I want to push the people that are in the main squad and it’s up to me to make a statement during my involvement with the Lions at the start of the winter.

“I’ve got experience in these kind of conditions and of course I’ve got an eye on the World Cup.

“There’s a long way to go before then but I am determined to play more cricket for England.”

Patel has continued to catch the eye in county cricket but has been out in the cold in the international arena since featuring for England against New Zealand in a Twenty20 international in Hamilton in February 2013.

International recognition for his Nottinghamshire teammates Stuart Broad, Michael Lumb, Alex Hales, James Taylor and Harry Gurney has strengthened his resolve to add to his tally of appearing in 36 ODIs, 18 T20 internationals and five Tests for his country.

England Lions Squad to face South Africa A
Jonny Bairstow- Yorkshire
Gary Balance - Yorkshire
Sam Billings - Kent
Jack Brooks - Yorkshire
Alex Lees - Yorkshire
Adam Lyth - Yorkshire
Craig Overton - Somerset
Stephen Parry - Lancashire
Samit Patel - Nottinghamshire
Liam Plunkett - Yorkshire
Boyd Rankin - Warwickshire
Adil Rashid - Yorkshire
Jason Roy - Surrey
James Vince – Hampshire

1st ODI – 25 January, Boland Park
2nd ODI – 28 January, De Beers Diamond Oval
3rd ODI – 31 January, Senwes Park
4th ODI – 2 February, Mamelodi
5th ODI – 5 February, Willowmoore Park