Jeetan Patel takes on Birmingham Bears captaincy for 2019 Vitality Blast

The 38-year-old will take charge of the side in his 10th T20 campaign with the Bears and succeeds Grant Elliott

Birmingham Bears have appointed Jeetan Patel as captain for the 2019 Vitality Blast.

Patel succeeds Grant Elliott in the role. Elliott retired from all forms of cricket at the end of the 2018 county summer.

The 38-year-old will take charge of the side in his 10th T20 campaign with the Bears.

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He said:“Our approach to T20 cricket as a club has changed a lot in my time with Bears and I’m really excited to be taking over as captain for the coming season,” said Patel.

“On the field, our young players have come in and played some tremendous, attacking cricket. It’s great to be part of this and we’re also seeing bigger crowds coming along to Edgbaston and getting behind us.

Nothing beats playing in-front of a big crowd at Edgbaston and I’m looking forward to the season ahead and hopefully leading us to another home Finals Day.”

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