Ajaz Patel? Or Kristian Clarke?
That’s the question the Black Caps selectors are asking themselves, one day out from the third and final test against the West Indies.
With a spate of injuries to New Zealand’s fast-bowling core already in this series, Patel or Clarke will come into the XI at Bay Oval, captain Tom Latham has confirmed, depending on conditions.
While the Black Caps’ team make-up in recent years has revolved around a four-pronged pace attack, Tauranga’s climate could see that strategy altered and include 37-year-old Patel in home conditions for the first time since early 2020.
On the other hand, Clarke coming in for what would be his test debut would also allow for continuity and reward the 24-year-old for patience, after already spending time with the side this summer and not yet earning a first black cap.
So far, Tauranga’s weather in the lead-up to the test has not entirely played ball with what was expected.
Showers overnight on Tuesday and early on Wednesday mean the third-test pitch is not as dry as predicted, and therefore kinder to the fast bowlers.
But, according to Latham, the Black Caps will wait until the last possible moment to make that decision.
“The games we’ve played here in the past, or games that have been played here – whether it be first-class games – this year, we’ve tended to see spin play more of a part than it has around the country,” said Latham.
“We’re going to have a look in the morning at whether we go with the extra spin option. I can’t tell you an XI at this stage.
“[Patel v Clarke] is the consideration, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to look at the surface in the morning and see if it changes, or if it’s what we’re expecting.”
If it’s any indication, Clarke batted in the nets at team training on Wednesday at the same time as both Latham and Kane Williamson.
Batting time tends to be awarded based on first-team status and could be a clue Clarke has his nose in front.
Earlier this summer, a performance of 100 not out with the bat and 3/57 with the ball for Northern Districts saw Clarke rushed into the New Zealand squad for the third One-Day International against England, albeit with him not playing.
And after also being with the Black Caps in Wellington, Latham said that Clarke would be ready, if called upon.
“He’s ready to go, what he’s been doing in the nets is all we can ask. His performances for ND over the last couple of seasons speak for themselves.
“I spoke about it last week, with a couple of guys coming in and making their debuts – all we ask from the group is for them to come in and bring the skillset they’ve got. What they’ve done to get here is what we’re looking for them to do when they get to the international stage.
“He’s been in form from a bat-and-ball point of view, which is great. He’ll certainly be ready to go, if he gets that opportunity.”
Patel, meanwhile, could add another chapter into his at times stop-start career, if he’s given the nod.
While his 21 tests have seen Patel take 85 wickets, all of those have come away from home. In 2021, he became only the third bowler to take all 10 wickets in a test innings, but has still not turned out on home soil since.
In part, that’s down to conditions dictating four fast bowlers is the way for the Black Caps to win home tests.
But, provided conditions play in his favour, Latham said that Patel wouldn’t let the side down, especially in the wait for a first test wicket on home soil.
“Ajaz has performed beautifully in overseas conditions and hasn’t had a lot of opportunities here in New Zealand because of the surfaces we play on,” he said.
“With us having allrounders that bowl spin, it has made his opportunities hard here in New Zealand, just from a batting point of view.
“I’m sure if he gets the opportunity, he’ll be doing everything he can to take a wicket, but more importantly to do his role for the team as best he can.”
The Black Caps’ XI for the third test will be named at the toss on Thursday.
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.