Jeetan: Great honour to be Bears skipper

JEETAN Patel says it’s a “great honour” to be named Warwickshire captain for next season.

The former New Zealand international, who has helped the club win all three domestic trophies, will skipper the Bears in the Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup.

He will be supported by new vice-captain Dom Sibley, while Grant Elliott will continue as captain of Birmingham Bears in the NatWest T20 Blast.

“I absolutely love playing for Warwickshire and it’s a great honour to return to Edgbaston in 2018 as club captain,” Patel said. “When you look at the guys who have captained the club over the years and what they have achieved, it is amazing to go on that list.

“It’s all about looking forward now, though, and working hard with the current group of players to try to create something special for the club in the years ahead.”

Patel initially joined the Bears in 2009 and has been the county’s overseas player across all formats since 2012. The 37-year-old played a part in Warwickshire’s championship title triumph in 2012, the 2014 T20 Blast win and last year’s Royal London Cup success.

He has taken 353 first-class, 102 List A and 113 T20 wickets for the club and was named as the PCA County Most Valuable Player in 2014 and 2016 and was runner-up in 2017.

Warwickshire sport director Ashley Giles said: “We’re thrilled to have Jeetan returning to the club as our captain.

“He’s a true Bear, who has won all three domestic competitions at the club, and sets exceptionally high standards on and off the pitch.

“We believe he will be an excellent leader as we build a platform for more success in the future.”

Sibley, 22, arrived from Surrey in August and made an immediate impact in T20, scoring 191 runs in seven games to help the Bears to the final. He scored 310 runs in six championship appearances.