Jeetan Patel will join up with the England squad when they arrive in Christchurch next week.

The England Men’s cricket team has appointed Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel as spin bowling consultant for the five-match IT20 series against New Zealand starting at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on November 1.

Patel, the native-born New Zealander, who is contracted to Cricket Wellington has been given dispensation to miss the first three matches of the Plunket Shield season. He will join up with the England squad when they arrive in Christchurch next week.

The 39-year-old off-spinner has played 24 Tests for the Black Caps. He ended this year’s Specsavers County Championship with Warwickshire taking 64 wickets at 26.75.

His role with England has the full support of New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Wellington and will develop Patel’s ambitions of becoming a coach once his playing career comes to an end.

The news follows the announcement that batsman Ian Bell will be part of the England U19s winter programme as Batting Coach.

The Young Lions head to the Caribbean in November and December where they’ll play in a 50-over tri-series against West Indies U19 and Sri Lanka U19.