"Little bit disappointed.." Ajaz Patel on playing only five test matches after historic 10-for in 2021

Ajaz Patel is only the third bowler in test history to take 10 wickets in an innings.

In December 2021, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel became only the third bowler in the history of test cricket – after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble – to pick up 10 wickets in an innings.

He achieved this feat against India at the Wankhede stadium. Though New Zealand lost the match, Patel wrote his name in the record books of test cricket.

However, in one of the most cruel quirks of fate a player could endure, he was dropped from the XI immediately because New Zealand needed to play four fast bowlers in tests at home and in England. Despite his heroics of a 10-wicket haul, Patel has featured in only five out of the 19 tests the Kiwis have played since his epic achievement at the Wankhede. Four of these five tests in this period were in Asia.

Sometimes, you don’t get as many opportunities as a New Zealand spinner: Ajaz Patel

As New Zealand gear up for six test matches in Asia, Ajaz Patel is excited to be part of the playing XI again.

He said he was a “little bit disappointed” to not be a regular feature in New Zealand’s XI but understands the need of having an extra pacer in the side in pace-friendly conditions.

“If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult. 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,” Ajaz Patel said on Friday.

“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.”

The left-arm spinner is likely to be part of all of New Zealand’s next six tests in Asia – a one-off test against Afghanistan in Noida, two tests in Sri Lanka, and three tests in India.

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