Ajaz Patel, New Zealand’s sub-continent specialist, eyes another sweet homecoming

Almost three years ago, Ajaz Patel became only the third cricketer to claim 10 wickets in a Test innings after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. It was a sweet homecoming for New Zealand’s India-born spinner Ajaz Patel, but despite his heroics at the Wankhede, he has failed to become Blackcap’s leading spinner.

Since that match against India in Mumbai, New Zealand have played 19 Tests and Ajaz has featured only in five of them. The 35-year-old has played 16 Tests so far out. Eleven of them have been in the sub-continent.

In the next two months, New Zealand are set to play six Tests in the sub-continent, starting with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida next week, followed by two Test matches in Sri Lanka and then will return to India again for a three-match Test series.

Patel, who has predominantly been as a sub-continent specialist, will have a chance to feature in all six Tests and make the most out of it. Interestingly, it could also be the first time when the left-arm spinner can play this many Test matches on the trot.

“If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult sometimes. Obviously you don’t get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions,” Patel told reporters ahead of their first training session at the Greater Noida Sports Complex.

“At the same time, I guess it breeds more hunger when you know conditions are spin friendly and you’re quite hungry to get out there and play and put your best foot forward and perform. But It’s really important that you prepare accordingly and prepare well. So it’s just about going into these games and really enjoying the conditions and making the most of it.”

Out of his 62 scalps, Ajaz has taken 58 wickets in the sub-continent. Although he admitted that it’s frustrating how he has failed to cement the spot of his side’s leading spinner since his historic feat.

“I guess after the 10 wickets, obviously you’re a little bit disappointed because you don’t get as many opportunities but at the same time as a player, it’s still about growing your game and it’s an opportunity to develop and grow,” he said.

“I mean since my 10 wickets, I’ve kind of somewhat remodelled my run up and look to grow myself and try and get better. So, it’s always about improving, making sure that you’re ready whenever that next opportunity comes and putting your hand up. It’s always a privilege to play for New Zealand and certainly playing for your country. It’s never easy to get those opportunities, It’s always quite special.”

The next two months are going to be crucial for the inaugural World Test Championship winners. New Zealand are currently placed in third place. Although the one-off Test against Afghanistan will not come under WTC matches, it will give them a good opportunity to prepare for the tougher challenges against Sri Lanka and India.

“We know Afghanistan are a quality team and obviously they don’t have as much experience, but they’ll certainly put up a good fight and certainly grow from every experience that they get and have. So yeah, we’re definitely not gonna take them lightly and then, you know, there’s a lot of cricket to look forward to,” said Ajaz.

This could be Ajaz’s last trip to India as a cricketer, because as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), New Zealand’s next trip to the sub-continent for Test matches is in February 2027, and by the time he would have turned 38.

In an exuberant press conference, Ajaz spoke about how special it is for him to come back to India after what he did in his last outing in the country of his birth. And if this turns out to be his last tour here with the Blackcaps, he would certainly be looking for another dream homecoming.

Rangana Hearth and Vikram Rathour. (New Zealand cricket Twitter)

New Zealand rope in Rathour and Herath

The New Zealand Cricket on Friday roped in former India batting coach Vikram Rathour and Sri Lanka spin great Rangana Herath as members of their coaching staff ahead of Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Herath, who has taken 433 Test wickets, has been appointed for Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as New Zealand’s spin bowling coach.

“Sri Lankan spin maestro Rangana Herath has been appointed as spin-bowling coach for the three upcoming Tests in Asia, replacing former Pakistan spinner and coach Saqlain Mushtaq who was originally announced to fill the temporary role before pulling out to take up a position with the Pakistan Cricket Board,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.

On Herath’s appointment as spin-bowling coach, Ajaz Patel said: “To be honest, if you look at me and you look at him, it was pretty similar in terms of the build and the body type and stuff like that.”

“And when I was developing and growing my spin, I kind of watched him with a lot of admiration. So it’s special to have him here and I guess for me it’s a great opportunity to spend some time with him and understand how he crafted his spin bowling. He was very successful and a phenomenal bowler. So it’s just a great opportunity for me personally to learn a lot from him.”

Meanwhile, Rathour, who had a successful run as India’s batting coach under head coach Rahul Dravid will be with the New Zealand team only for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

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