Ajaz Patel returns after 10-wicket haul, video #adessonews

The curious case of Ajaz Patel is about to commence another chapter as the unassuming left arm spinner, whose greatest moment sits firmly within cricket folklore, returns to the scene of his mind-boggling heist.

When New Zealand was last in India three years ago, Patel became only the third bowler in Test history – after fellow spinners Jim Laker of England and India’s Anil Kumble – to take all ten wickets in an innings.

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Despite his heroics, Patel has been largely absent from the Black Caps line up since, but he is once again set to play a key role once when the three Test match series against the World Test Championship leaders begins on Wednesday in Bengaluru.

Staggeringly, the 35-year-old who was born in Mumbai – where he snared his historic ten-for and he will return to the Wankhede Stadium for the third Test of this series – has only played seven of New Zealand’s 21 Tests since his historic feat.

He was even dumped from New Zealand’s central contract list for the 2023/24 season before being reinstated last month.

But being in-and-out has been the story of Patel’s career so far.

Since making his debut against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi six years ago, Patel has only featured in 18 of the 46 Tests New Zealand have played in that time frame.

He has only represented his country on home soil on three occasions – the last of which was in February 2020 – while two appearances in England are the only other Tests he has played outside of Asia.

Patel’s overall record is impressive – he boasts 70 Test wickets at an average of 30.42 – but remarkably he has gone wicketless in five innings in New Zealand.

Adding further to the abnormalities of his record is that Patel has been his most economical at home – conceding 2.16 runs per over – while his best average is in England – four wickets at 20.25.

Opportunities to snare a maiden wicket on home soil have not eventuated in recent years however, with the inaugural world Test champions predominantly opting for an all-out pace attack on their grassy pitches.

Earlier this year against Australia, the right-arm off-spin of batters Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra was deemed sufficient to support a four-pronged pace battery of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Scott Kuggeleijn.

While he has not been threatening on home soil, Patel’s impressive economy rate shows he can play the holding role regularly required of spinners in nations like New Zealand, Australia, England and South Africa.

But often fellow left-arm orthodox spinner Mitchell Santner and right-arm off spinner Michael Bracewell have been preferred for their ability to bat as high as number six.

Now is Patel’s time to shine however, as the New Zealanders are midway through a so far disappointing six-Test stint in Asia.

Their one-off Test against Afghanistan became just the eighth in history to be abandoned without a ball bowled, while they suffered two comprehensive defeats in Sri Lanka – the second of which was by an innings and 154 runs.

Speaking to the media last month before the tour began, Patel shared that he uses his snubs as fuel to drive his performances on the sub-continent.

“We’re in a professional environment and it’s really important to go out there and continue to work on our game,” Patel said. “After the 10 wickets, yeah, 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.

“Since my 10 wickets, I’ve somewhat remodelled my run up and looked to grow myself and try to get better. It’s always about improving and making sure you’re ready when that next opportunity comes.

“It’s always a privilege to play for New Zealand, and to play for your country is never easy. To get those opportunities is always quite special.”

When speaking last month after capturing a six-wicket haul in the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka, Patel also admitted to “an element of frustration” with being pigeon-holed at the selection table.

But nevertheless, he has cracked on, working with Sri Lankan legend Rangana Herath – who took 433 Test wickets, the most of a left arm spinner – to add more weapons to his arsenal.

Critics often point to turning pitches on the subcontinent making life easier for spinners, but Patel insists it is not as simple as letting the surface do all the work.

“The hunger grows more every time you don’t get an opportunity that you want,” Patel said.

“Every time you do get an opportunity, you’re pretty hungry.

“As a spinner you have the luxury of the ball doing a little more in these conditions (in Asia). It can be challenging as well, because when you come to these conditions you’re up against good players of spin as well. It’s a double-edged sword.

“It’s about presenting the ball in good areas for long periods and using what is available to us on the day – sometimes it may be the breeze, it may be the surface, it may be the pace of the wicket.

“It is responsibility I thrive on, and something I really enjoy.”

As he did in Sri Lanka, Patel is tipped to shoulder most of the Black Caps’ bowling load in the first Test with New Zealand tipped to stick to the same structure of two seamers – who were Tim Southee and Will O’Rourke in their most recent Test – and spin bowling all-rounders Ravindra, Santner and Phillips to round out the attack.