Patel to fly in for West Midlands derby

By Paul Bolton, County News Correspondent

Warwickshire are planning for New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel to play a part in their LV= County Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road this week even though he is currently in Bangalore.

Patel, who was recalled by New Zealand for their two-Test series in India, is due to arrive back in Birmingham early on Wednesday morning and Warwickshire are making contingency plans for him to play on the second day against Worcestershire.

Warwickshire would have to nominate a player at the toss to make way for Patel which would probably be former England slow left-armer Ian Blackwell who was signed on loan from Durham to cover for Patel.

Patel always indicated that he would be back in time to play some part at New Road even though the last day of the Bangalore Test was due to coincide with the first day of Warwickshire’s penultimate Championship match.

But the Test finished in four days, with India winning by five wickets to complete a 2-0 series success, which may allow Patel to catch an earlier flight to England.

Warwickshire are 22 points clear at the top of the table and could clinch the title this week if they beat Worcestershire and Sussex fail to win against Somerset at Hove.

Worcestershire are expected to be without all-rounder Gareth Andrew because of a calf injury but they have added seamer Nick Harrison, England Under-19 all-rounder Aneesh Kapil and leg-spinner Brett D’Oliveira to the side that was beaten by Middlesex last week.


Date: 03/09/2012 13:59:50 by Paul Bolton
In: Worcestershire | Warwickshire | Today |