- By Namrata Vijay
- Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
AFG vs NZ: New Zealand's Ajaz Patel is just five Tests old after he took a 10-fer against the Men in Blue in Mumbai in 2021. He had taken all those wickets except one in the subcontinent region. He is not New Zealand's first preference as a spinner back home although he has been quite successful in the subcontinent. He also admitted that it has become quite challenging with a lack of game time, he also revealed that the Black Cap spinners are quite eager to perform in spin-friendly conditions.
During the pre-match press conference before the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, he reckoned that he had worked on his skills. He would be competing against bowlers like Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Michael Bracewell as they aim to win the one-off Test match against Afghanistan.
New Zealand will lock horns with Afghanistan for the one-off Test match, which will begin on September 9, Monday. They will then travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series from September 16-30. The Tim Southee will then come back to India for a three-match Test series against the Men in Blue, which will begin on October 16 and will go on till November 5.
"If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult (lack of game time). Sometimes, you don't get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions," Ajaz Patel told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
"But it breeds more hunger when you do come to conditions like this and you know conditions that are spin-friendly and you're quite hungry to get out there and play and, I guess, put your best foot forward and perform. But you must prepare accordingly and prepare well. It's just about going into these games and enjoying the conditions and making the most of it", he revealed.
Remodeled by run-up: Patel
He had become just the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to have taken a 10-wicket haul in an innings at the Wankhede stadium in 2021. He had failed to take a wicket in his next Test match at Lord's and then bounced back in the two-match Test series against Pakistan in Karachi in 2022. He had played a huge role in helping his team level the series against Bangladesh last year, where he took 14 wickets after playing in two matches.
Ajaz revealed that he came back to the subcontinent after making a few changes in his bowling action as he aims to perform consistently in the upcoming six Test matches.
"We are in a professional environment and for us it's really important to just go out there and continue to work on our game and keep improving and keep growing. After the 10 wickets, you're a little bit disappointed that you don't get as many opportunities but at the same time as a player, it is still about growing your game and its opportunities to develop and grow. Since my 10 wickets, I have kind of remodeled my run-up and am looking to grow myself and try and get better. So, it's always about improving and it's always about making sure that you're ready whenever that next opportunity comes and putting your hand up," he concluded.
He would also be working with the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath, who had joined their support staff for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, which would be held in Greater Noida.
New Zealand squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan:
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (captain), Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Ben Sears.