Ajaz Patel, the 35-year-old left-arm spinner from New Zealand, has etched his name in cricket history as only the third bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test innings, a feat achieved by the likes of Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. This remarkable performance came against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2021, marking a sweet homecoming for the India-born spinner.
Despite this historic achievement, Patel has faced limited opportunities to represent New Zealand. Since his 10-wicket haul, he has played only five Test matches for the Black Caps, with his last Test appearance coming nine months ago against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Dhaka.
The Sub-Continent Specialist
Patel's career has been defined by his success in sub-continent conditions. He has played 16 Test matches, with 11 of those being in the sub-continent, where he has taken 58 out of his 62 wickets. This specialization is largely due to New Zealand's home conditions, which favor seam bowling over spin.
"If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult. Obviously, you don’t get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions," Patel explained. However, this scarcity of opportunities has only heightened his hunger for success in spin-friendly conditions. "It breeds more hunger when you do come to conditions like this (in the sub-continent), and you know conditions that are spin friendly and you’re quite hungry to get out there and play and put your best foot forward and perform," he added.
Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
In the next two months, New Zealand is set to play six Tests in the sub-continent, starting with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, followed by two Test matches in Sri Lanka, and then a three-match Test series in India. This schedule presents Patel with a unique opportunity to feature in all six Tests and make a significant impact.
Patel is eager to capitalize on these conditions, which he believes will allow him to thrive. "As a spinner you have the luxury of the ball doing a little more in these conditions," he said. "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".
Inspiration from Rangana Herath
Recently, Patel has been drawing inspiration from former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who has been appointed as the spin bowling coach for New Zealand in the Test format. Patel has always admired Herath, noting their similar build and body type. "When I was developing my spin, I watched him with a lot of admiration. So it’s really 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," Patel said.
Herath's influence has already been evident, with Patel crediting him for insights into the conditions and strategies that have contributed to his success in Galle, where he recently took a second five-wicket haul.
Preparations and Mindset
As Patel prepares for the upcoming series, he reflects on the different challenges he faces each time he plays in the sub-continent. "Yeah, I guess it is always special to come back to India, especially after my last game here. It is a different challenge now, different surface, different place, and different opposition. So it is about looking at what is in front of us, assessing what the wicket is doing, and then coming up with a game plan," he explained.
Patel also acknowledges the potential of the Afghan team, recognizing their resilience and growth. "We know Afghanistan are a quality outfit. Obviously, they don’t have that much experience, but certainly, they will put up a good fight. They will certainly grow from every experience that they get and have," he noted.
Conclusion
Ajaz Patel's journey as New Zealand's sub-continent specialist is marked by both achievement and frustration. Despite the limited opportunities at home, Patel remains hungry and determined to make the most of the spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent. With the guidance of Rangana Herath and a packed schedule ahead, Patel is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Tests, further cementing his reputation as a specialist in these conditions.
