England appoint Jeetan Patel as spin-bowling consultant
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 26 December in Centurion. He is currently representing Wellington in New Zealand's Super Smash T20 competition and is set to play his last game for the franchise on 18 December against Central Districts.
"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.
It's been a busy few weeks for Jeetan Patel!
— ICC (@ICC) November 25, 2019
He was England's spin bowling coach during their T20I series in New Zealand and is now back playing for Wellington 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BNfEQfghfk
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.
England went down 1-0 to New Zealand in a two-Test series this week. Their next assignment against South Africa consists of four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. After that, they tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in March 2020.