YOUNG Rapids ace Pat Brown is ready for international honours after once again impressing on Finals Day, according to skipper Moeen Ali.
Although the 20-year-old went wicketless in the final against Sussex, his figures of 0-15 from his four overs combined with his 4-21 in the semi-final win over Lancashire meant Brown finished the tournament with 31 scalps.
His record placed him joint second on the list of most wickets in a since T20 Blast campaign – level with Danny Briggs who took 31 wickets in 19 games in 2010.
Alfonso Thomas holds the record with 33 scalps in 19 games when Somerset finished runners-up in the same year.
Following the Rapids’ triumph, the England all-rounder claimed Brown could even expect a call from England’s selectors to represent his country over the winter.
“Some of the balls Pat bowls, I don’t think I have seen anyone in county cricket get after him yet. He might have gone for some boundaries here and there but the quality he has shown is international standard,” he said.
“It’s not just the balls he bowls, it’s the guts. The character to go a long way is there as long as he doesn’t get too carried away. He’s got a bright future hopefully for England.
“He’s very smart with the lengths he bowls and his lines, he knows how people are trying to hit him. I think he’s very close to England and wouldn’t be surprised if he gets something in the winter.
“I still feel he’s got more to show us, he’s got good pace and probably the only batter in the side who can’t bat as good as everyone else, so he’s got to work on that for next year!”