 Patel joined Central Districts for one season over the winter of 2005/2006, where he proved a useful asset in the side's State Championship victory, taking six wickets in the final.This came after he had been mentioned in relation to a possible recall to the England squad as cover for Ashley Giles on the tour of Pakistan.Following a recurring elbow injury, he announced his retirement from first-class cricket at the start of the 2008 season.