September 7, 2024

Ajaz Patel Thrilled About Chance to Play Six Tests in Asia

In the last two and a half years, Ajaz Patel has played just five Tests, but he could feature in six over the next two months. Picture being a top spinner from a country known for its fast bowlers, and then making history by taking all ten wickets in an innings in only your 11th Test. Despite this, Ajaz Patel hasn’t consistently been New Zealand’s frontline spinner and has played in only five out of the 19 Tests since that historic match.

The bright side is that whenever New Zealand tours Asia, Ajaz has played in all four Tests. Even so, it’s understandable to feel disappointed about not getting more opportunities in other conditions and countries.

“If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult,” Ajaz said, three days before the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida. “Sometimes, you don’t get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions. 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 put your best foot forward.”

“But it’s really important that you do 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.”

“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. After the ten wickets, you’re a little bit disappointed to not get as many opportunities but at the same time it’s still about growing your game and it’s an opportunity to develop and grow. Since my ten wickets, I have somewhat remodelled my run-up. So it’s always about improving and making sure that you are ready whenever that next opportunity comes and put your hand up.”

Ajaz Patel’s Upcoming Opportunities and Mentorship with Rangana Herath

Ajaz Patel has played only five Tests in the past two and a half years, but he might play six in the next two months. After the Afghanistan Test, New Zealand will travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests and then return to India for three more. If Ajaz stays in form and fit, this could be a rare chance for him because New Zealand’s next Test tour to Asia, according to the Future Tours Programme, isn’t scheduled until February 2027.

“It always depends on conditions and on form and you making sure you play well,” Ajaz said of the possibility of playing all six Tests. “So you don’t take it lightly. But it is a great opportunity as a spinner with so many games in Asia. So it’s something that I’m looking forward to and pretty excited about.”

Ajaz Patel also has the chance to learn from Rangana Herath, the former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner who will be New Zealand’s spin-bowling coach until the Sri Lanka series.

“If you look at me and you look at Rangana, we are pretty similar in terms of our build and body types,” Ajaz said. “While developing and growing my spin, I watched him with a lot of admiration. So really, really special to have him here, and for me, it’s a great opportunity to spend some time with him and understand how he crafted spin bowling. He was obviously very, very successful and a phenomenal bowler, so it’s a great opportunity for me personally to learn from him.”

Ellis Out of Remaining Scotland T20Is and England Tour Due to Hamstring Injury

Josh Hazlewood has recovered from a minor calf strain and will join the Australian squad before the first T20I against England.

Nathan Ellis, however, will miss the rest of the series against Scotland and the following eight white-ball games in England due to a hamstring injury he sustained during The Hundred. Ellis had hoped to make a mark with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins rested, and Hazlewood sidelined. Unfortunately, Ellis’s hamstring injury has not healed in time, so he will return home soon, as confirmed by Cricket Australia on Friday.

The timing of Nathan Ellis’s injury, which he picked up while playing for London Spirit in The Hundred, is especially frustrating. Despite having played 17 T20Is, including three matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Ellis’s chances have often depended on one of the top three Australian fast bowlers being rested.

Meredith to Stay with Australia; Hazlewood Joins Squad; Ellis Misses England Series

Riley Meredith, who made his international return in Australia’s recent win over Scotland in the first T20I, will stay with the squad as a backup. This means Somerset will likely be without Meredith for the T20 Blast Finals Day on Saturday, which falls between the second and third T20Is against England.

Hazlewood has landed in England ahead of Wednesday’s first T20I at the Utilita Bowl. “[He] will join the squad in Southampton having recovered from a minor calf strain,” a CA spokesperson said. Nathan Ellis was also set to play in the five-match ODI series against England, starting on September 19, but a replacement for him has not yet been announced.

Riley Meredith might be allowed to join Somerset for the T20 Blast Finals Day on Saturday at Edgbaston. However, Somerset’s captain, Lewis Gregory, mentioned after their quarter-final win that they don’t expect Meredith to be available. Since Somerset has no players in England’s T20I squad, they will otherwise have their full team available.