James Franklin backs Indian-origin spinner Jeetan Patel to make Windies Test tour

New Zealand bowler James Franklin has backed Indian-origin spinner Jeetan Patel to be the second spinner in the national Test squad for the West Indies tour.

Selectors Mike Hesson and Bruce Edgar will pick two squads of 15- the team for three Tests in the Caribbean in June and an 'A' squad for one-day and first-class matches in England.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Hesson had said that they would definitely choose two specialist spinners for the squad as they expect slow, turning pitches in Kingston, Port-of-Spain and Georgetown and Franklin backed Patel for the tour as he believes the bowler is the one of the best spinners in the country, as is evident in his first-class performance.

The Wellington captain also said that Patel's form, particularly in the last couple of weeks, has been impressive in the one-day stuff, adding that his figures have been outstanding.

The report mentioned that Patel, who was a key man in Wellington's one-day triumph, played the last of his 19 Tests against South Africa in January 2013.