Ajaz Patel bowls on day two of the third test between the Black Caps and West Indies. Photo / Photosport
Ajaz Patel has achieved a lot in his international career.
But now, as the Black Caps chase a series win over the West Indies in Tauranga, the 37-year-old could be charged with bowling New Zealand to victory in a home test match for the first time.
Across the first two days of the series’ finale at Bay Oval, just eight wickets have fallen, on a surface that has so far proven to be challenging for the bowlers.
Despite not taking a wicket on day two, though, the hosts can still be the happier of the sides. New Zealand’s 575-8 declared means a lead of 465 runs when both sides return on Saturday, after the West Indies’ openers posted 110-0 in reply to close day two.
Enter Patel. While much of New Zealand’s recent success in home test cricket has revolved around a four-pronged pace attack, given conditions suit seam bowling above all else, this test at Bay Oval has the potential to be different.
Tauranga’s warmer, drier climate has seen wickets there tend to favour spin at first-class level, with hopes that will be replicated in the third test.
It’s why Patel was picked for his first home test since 2020 on one of his Northern Districts home grounds, rather than the Black Caps handing a debut to seamer Kristian Clarke.
For the most part, Patel has found himself as an overseas specialist, playing four tests on Kiwi soil without taking a wicket. In that time, he’s taken 85 wickets overseas, including a history-making haul of 10-119 against India in Mumbai, the best figures by a New Zealander.
But this Black Caps side will attack as a unit. And, as explained by Rachin Ravindra, it’s up to all the bowlers to contribute, not just Patel.
“We’ve got a bowling attack which is a team, everyone has a role to play,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the Kiwi way to put the onus on one guy. It’s about little individual contributions.
“It might not be about him taking the wickets, it could be the pressure he creates at the other end. I’m sure he’ll be great and his consistency will be there.
“But for us, it’s about chipping in and staying there.”
The West Indies, meanwhile, don’t share that view. The tourists know the quality Patel possesses and the fact his selection in this test has been to secure victory in the final innings.
After trips to India and Bangladesh before arriving in New Zealand, the West Indies are no strangers to facing quality spin bowling.
Already in their first innings, Patel has sent down four overs for nine runs, without really threatening.
And, off the back of saving the first test in Christchurch with a marathon fourth innings, the visitors know they have the skills to take this game deep and push New Zealand all the way once more.
“One ball at a time,” Justin Greaves said of the West Indies’ plans to play Patel out. “We’ve been batting well in patches. It’s about being as consistent as a group as possible.
“He will be the main threat, yes. But we’ve been batting [against] spin pretty well in the last couple of months, and the last couple of series.
“Long may it continue.”
Relying on spin to win a home test is rare in New Zealand. While the Black Caps have done well to claim overseas series with slow bowling – seen against Pakistan in the UAE in 2018, and a famous 3-0 sweep of India last year – the lack of home opportunity does not correlate to a lack of ability on the spinners’ part.
Patel will be accompanied by Glenn Phillips and possibly Ravindra, if required.
And with vital World Test Championship points on the line, Ravindra believes being tested like this in home conditions is what the Black Caps need.
“It’s certainly strange,” he said. “You don’t see it too often, so it’s a great little refresh.
“It’s great for us being adaptable and changing our games a little bit. It’s cool to have two spinners that can hopefully bowl us to a win.”
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.