NZ’s Ajaz Patel ready for Asian challenge: ‘Since my 10 wickets, I have remodelled my run up’

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel created history nearly three years ago when he became only the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to pick up ten wickets in a Test inning against India in Mumbai. Since then, New Zealand has played 19 Tests, with the left-arm orthodox featuring in just five. Ahead of the Asian leg, where the Kiwis will play six Tests, Ajaz admitted to being excited for the new challenge this time.

Starting with the one-off Test against Afghanistan on September 9 in Greater Noida, Kiwis will travel to Sri Lanka next for two Test matches before returning to India to face Rohit Sharma-led side in three games. Patel, predominantly a sub-continent specialist, is back in the reckoning for a place in the XI, with other contenders like Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips also vying for a spot.

Speaking ahead of the Afghanistan Test, Ajaz said all Kiwi spinners would feel the same about opportunities, given the conditions back home, which assist seamers.

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With New Zealand set to play six straight Tests in the Asian conditions, Ajaz feels the hunger to succeed has automatically increased.

“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,” Patel said to reporters in Greater Noida.

“At the same time, I guess it breeds more hunger when you know conditions are spin-friendly, and you’re quite hungry to get out there and play and put your best foot forward and perform. But it’s really important that you 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,” he continued.

‘I didn’t stop working on my game’

Any bowler who would pick ten wickets in a Test inning would expect to retain their place in the side regardless of the conditions; that, however, wasn’t the case with Ajaz Patel, who admitted being a little disappointed for being overlooked all this while.

But, with plenty of cricket ahead of him, the 35-year-old revealed he continued working on his game since that Mumbai Test and is now ready to take on the challenge.

“I guess after the 10 wickets, obviously you’re a little bit disappointed because you don’t get as many opportunities, but at the same time, as a player, it’s still about growing your game, and it’s an opportunity to develop and grow,” he said.

“I mean since my 10 wickets, I’ve kind of somewhat remodelled my run up and look to grow myself and try and get better. So, it’s always about improving, making sure that you’re ready whenever that next opportunity comes and putting your hand up. It’s always a privilege to play for NewZealand and certainly playing for your country. It’s never easy to get those opportunities, It’s always quite special,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)