Jeets set to lead Bears into Blast

BEARS have named Jeetan Patel as skipper ahead of the 2019 Vitality Blast campaign following the retirement of fellow New Zealand international Grant Elliott at the end of last season.

Patel, 38, has taken 124 T20 wickets for the Bears, at an average of 23.25, and has been an integral member of the squad who have reached Finals Day in three of the last five years, and won the competition in 2014.

Jim Troughton, the Bears’ first-team coach, said: “Jeets is an outstanding leader and having already been appointed Warwickshire captain in championship and one-day cricket in 2018, it’s the ideal fit for the team that he leads us into this season’s Vitality Blast.

“His leadership skills have been prominent since he arrived at Edgbaston in 2009, and he has always provided great support to the team; something I experienced firsthand as captain between 2011 and 2013.

“He’s still widely recognised as one of the leading bowlers in the competition and we look forward to welcoming Jeets back to Edgbaston as captain for all formats in the coming days.”

The Blast will be Patel’s tenth T20 campaign for the Bears, having played two spells in 2009 and 2011, before becoming a permanent fixture in 2012.

“I’m really excited to be taking over as captain,” said Patel. “Nothing beats playing in front of a big crowd at Edgbaston and I’m looking forward to the season and hopefully leading us to another home Finals Day.”