Patel to recuperate in New Zealand

In his short time with Warwickshire, Jeetan Patel registered his maiden first-class century, against Yorkshire

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New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel is expected to be available for selection for next month’s tour of Sri Lanka despite being released by Warwickshire after suffering a minor knee injury.

Patel, 29, has been assessed in England this week by the New Zealand team physio and will return home next week.

He was due to finish his contract with Warwickshire at the end of July.

“Jeetan just needs a couple of weeks to recuperate after suffering a sprain to the medial collateral ligament of his right knee,” said New Zealand manager Dave Currie.

“He will rest the knee for a short while but will resume training within a couple of weeks and should be bowling in the nets soon thereafter. We are confident that he will be back to full fitness in time to be available for the Sri Lanka tour.”

The first of a two-Test series at the P Sara Oval in Colombo begins on August 18, with the following five match one-day series beginning in Dambulla on September 5.