The England Men’s cricket team has appointed Bears spinner Jeetan Patel as spin bowling consultant for the tours of South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively.
Former skipper Patel, who was part of England’s successful five-match IT20 series victory over New Zealand last month, has announced his retirement from Cricket Wellington ahead of his final year with the Bears in the 2020 season.
He will play his last match for Wellington Firebirds in the Super Smash T20 tournament against Central Stags at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday December 18.
Patel then joins the England party on December 24 in Centurion ahead of the first Test at Supersport Park starting on Boxing Day against the Proteas.
The 39-year-old will also be part of the white ball leg of the South Africa tour, which includes three ODIs and three IT20s.
He will also play a significant role during England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka starting in March 2020 when Joe Root’s side plays a two-match Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship.
