Patel keen to make Warwicks return

By Paul Bolton

Jeetan Patel has set his sights on helping New Zealand in India later this month and then returning to England to help Warwickshire win the LV= County Championship.

The 32-year-old off-spinner thought that his Test career was over until he received a call this week to replace the injured Daniel Vettori for New Zealand’s two Test trip to India.

Patel’s outstanding county form this season helped him secure the unexpected bonus of a Test recall but it means that Warwickshire will be without their senior spinner for at least two Championship matches – Middlesex and Nottinghamshire at home.

But Patel hopes that he will be able to rejoin Warwickshire in time for their trip to New Road to play Worcestershire on September 4 and for a potential title decider against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge the following week.

“I leave on August 17 after the CB40 match against Sussex at Hove but I am trying to get back for Worcestershire away in the championship,” Patel said. “It’s unfortunate for the club but the opportunity to play against India in India is something that I have always wanted to do.

“I have always wanted to play Test cricket and I want to play again. I tip my hat to the club because they have given me an opportunity to get overs in and force my way back into the New Zealand side.

“The club have been great for me so far and I would not want to ruin a relationship that’s as strong as it is. That is why I want to come back and also want to come back and help us to win the Championship.

“I have not been on the Test scene for a while so you wonder whether you are ever going to make it back in. I had given up on it a little bit on it. I had to go back doing what I needed to do which was take wickets and score runs and contribute to to winning games.

“I would like to think that I have done that so far. I am not saying that my job is done. I want to go over to India and hopefully win a Test match and then come back and hopefully win the Championship with Warwickshire.”


Date: 09/08/2012 17:07:22 by Paul Bolton
In: Warwickshire | Today |