Jeetan Patel named England spin-bowling consultant

LONDON: Former New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel has been appointed as England’s spin bowling consultant for their upcoming tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Patel had performed a similar role during the T20I leg of England’s tour of New Zealand, which England won 3-2. The 39-year-old will now join the squad ahead of the first Test against South Africa, which begins on December 26 in Centurion.

He is currently representing Wellington in New Zealand’s Super Smash T20 competition. “The opportunity to take up a role with England is one that doesn’t come around often and one I simply can’t turn down,” Patel said in a statement.

Apart from his 78 international appearances, Patel has a rich wealth of county experience in England, where he played for Warwickshire, alongside the current England men’s team director Ashley Giles. He has claimed 473 first-class wickets for Warwickshire and remains committed to playing one final season next year.