Patel set to miss curtain-raiser

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Patel is still attempting to secure a visa after a tightening of regulations and is currently based in Wellington with the opening game against Somerset starting next Wednesday.

With the Home Office closed over Easter, the Bears director of cricket Ashley Giles is virtually resigned to Patel missing the Taunton clash.

Giles said: "It is a tricky one. I guess it is partly of our own making because we asked for stronger conditions regarding work permits and guys coming in to play cricket.

"It might hinder us in the first game or two. We are not sure when he will be available.

"We are going to try and push it as hard as we can and get him here as soon as possible. It is almost impossible to get it all done for the first game with everything closed over Easter."

Patel has Indian parents but was brought up in New Zealand and has made seven Test and 38 one-day appearances for the Kiwis.

In Patel's absence, Warwickshire are hoping Ant Botha will recover from an elbow injury otherwise they will be without a front-line spinner for the beginning of the 2009 campaign.

Giles added: "We are still hoping Botha will be fit for the first game. It has been a bit of a topsy turvy couple of weeks for him not knowing where we are going.

"But we are going to try this new line of treatment and, if it works, then he should be okay."