Patel all-clear to begin Bears stint

Warwickshire will have the spin option they have coveted when Jeetan Patel arrives in Birmingham later this week

Warwickshire have been assured that Jeetan Patel will be available for Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy match with Scotland at Edgbaston.

Patel, 27, the New Zealand international off-spinner, has been unable to link up with his county team-mates due to complications with his visa.

But he is expected to arrive in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Warwickshire have found it hard to plug the gap in spin, with Ant Botha bowling through chronic tennis elbow problems, and fellow left-armer Shaaiq Choudhry sidelined with a knee injury.

Furthermore, the Bears will be without four of their top players for their next FP Trophy encounter, after Ian Bell, Tim Ambrose, Jonathan Trott and Chris Woakes were named in the England Lions side to play West Indies at Derby.

Director of cricket Ashley Giles said: “This is great news and we look forward to welcoming Jeetan to Edgbaston next week. I am sure he will be an asset to the dressing room and add depth to the squad we already have.”