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Paul Nixon is the man who brought Rishi Patel to Leicestershire from Essex in 2020.

Hampshire Getting 'Finished Product' in Patel

Paul Nixon was Leicestershire coach when Rishi Patel arrived at Grace Road from Essex in October 2020 following a successful loan spell with the county. And he tells The Hawk that Patel could be the opener Hampshire have been searching for.

15.10.26, 16:54 Updated 15.10.26, 16:58

Rishi Patel will have the winter to prepare for his life at Hampshire.

But the heat will be on him to score heavily as soon as the 2027 season begins in April.

Hampshire's batters' struggles were well-documented this summer.

When Nick Gubbins and Felix Organ put on a century stand in an ultimately doomed cause against Leicestershire in September it was the first recorded by Hampshire's openers since 2022.

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Rich Edwards

Rich Edwards

Editor

is the founder and editor of The Hawk. Rich is a freelance cricket writer and lifelong Hampshire man. He has been published in a host of national publications, including The Times, The Cricketer and The Independent.

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