New Delhi: Ajaz Patel, the Indian-born New Zealand left-arm off-spinner who famously scalped 10 wickets against India has recently opened up about the limited opportunities that he has got since that historic feat in India. Now, as the Kiwis once again turn their rudder towards India, Ajaz smells wickets in a place which has become his favourite hunting ground over the years.
Why is it difficult for spinners to make a place in the playing XI?
New Zealand primarily plays most of the cricket on green tops where the ball swings in the wind in places like Hamilton (Seddon Park) or seams on green tops. Naturally, a spin attack in such a condition is almost redundant with no help from the spinners from the pitch. Therefore, whenever the black caps play their matches in home conditions they primarily take a spinning all-rounder who can bat as well.
As a result of this players like Santner get an upper edge over Patel who are spinning all-rounders. However, the Indian-origin bowler is not bogged down by this and told reporters on Friday about the zeal that Kiwi spinners have-
If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult. Sometimes, obviously 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 that conditions are spin-friendly…
However, Patel has to deliver results to cement his spot in the side. If not, Ajaz Patel also can run the risk that Rony Hira had stumbled into and recede into oblivion forever.
When is the New Zealand and Afghanistan one-off Test?
New Zealand and Afghanistan’s test will start on September 9th and end on September 13th. The match will be held at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground which also happened to be the home ground for the Afghanistan team.
