Prodigious off-spinner Jeetan Patel is a true State Wellington Firebirds stalwart. Now an integral member of the BLACKCAPS, he always gives it his all in the field and with the ball when he returns to provincial colours for Wellington.

Patel first played for Wellington in 1999/00, bowling 59 overs and taking 5 for 145 against the State Auckland Aces on his debut and taking 16 wickets in all in his rookie season. He has since provided sterling service, often as a complement to the Firebirds’ successful seamers. He was earmarked as a for a big future from a young age. He played age group cricket in Wellington at U15, under 17, and under 19 levels, and made his full New Zealand debut in August 2005.

Patel is one of four Firebirds players along with Jesse Ryder, Iain O’Brien and Grant Elliott in the BLACKCAPS team about to take on Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Series. The first ODI is at Perth on Sunday 1 February.

Patel appeals vigorously against the State Canterbury Wizards in the Firebirds'  innings and 42 run win over them in the State Championship in November 2008.

Jeetan Patel

Playing style: Off-spin bowler 

Nickname: Dave

Secondary school attended: Rongotai College

Club: Eastern Suburbs

Earliest cricket memory: Facing up to dad in the backyard

Favourite ground to play cricket on: The Allied NationwideFinanceBasin Reserve

Most memorable cricket moment: Making my Test debut against South Africa at Cape Town in April-May 2006.

If I could bat/bowl in partnership with any cricketer from any era I would you chose: Viv Richards, because batting with him would be an awesome spectacle

Favourite player as a kid: Sir Richard Hadlee

The non-cricketing sports person or team I most admire: Tiger Woods

If I wasn’t a cricketer I’d be: A golfer

Favourite movie or TV character: ALF

Favourite book/magazine: Stephen Fleming’s biography

Favourite holiday destination: Palmerston North 

On my ipod is: Bollywood Hits 2008

If I had superpowers I’d have: X-Ray vision

If my parents are coming to dinner tonight, I’d cook them: Butter chicken!!!