After 10-wicket haul in 2021, Ajaz Patel ‘hungry’ for more sub-continental success | Cricket News

GREATER NOIDA: Only three bowlers in the history of cricket have taken 10 wickets in an innings of a Test match. It’s the rarest of rare phenomenon. Jim Laker of England achieved it in 1956, India’s Anil Kumble in 1999, and New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel was the last one in 2021.
Patel’s feat came against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. His feat, however, couldn’t stop India from winning the Test by a massive 372-run margin.
Since the Mumbai Test, Patel has played just five Test matches for New Zealand – his last coming 9 months back against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Dhaka.Patel had match figures of 8/111 in the Test, and helped New Zealand win the match by 4 wickets. The Black Caps had lost the first of the two-Test series against Bangladesh, and the Mirpur win helped them draw the series 1-1.
Despite his heroics, Patel has largely been a sub-continent centric personnel for New Zealand. In fact, he has played just three of his 16 Tests back home in New Zealand.
Surely, there is frustration of not getting regular chances to represent his country, but Patel hasn’t let it affect his spirit and hunger.
“If you ask all New Zealand spinners, it is difficult. Obviously, you don’t get as many opportunities at home because of our home conditions,” Patel said at the venue (Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathak Cricket Stadium, Greater Noida) of New Zealand’s one-off Test against Afghanistan.
“But it breeds more hunger when you do come to conditions like this (in the sub-continent), and you know conditions that 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 do 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.”
For Patel, the 10-wicket haul is still fresh in his mind “as if it has happened just yesterday”, but the 35-year-old yearns to keep growing in the Test arena. He has also “somewhat remodelled” his run-up in order to get more success.
“We’re 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 and keep growing. I guess after the 10 wickets, obviously, you’re a little bit disappointed when you don’t get as many opportunities.
“Since my 10 wickets, I’ve somewhat remodelled my run-up and look to grow myself and get better. It’s always about improving and making sure that you’re ready whenever that next opportunity comes,” Patel said.
In the next two months, Patel has the chance to play six Test matches. Besides the one-off Test against Afghanistan, New Zealand fly to Sri Lanka for two Tests and then return to India for three more Tests. According to ICC’s Future Tours Programme, New Zealand’s next trip to Asia for Tests is in Feb 2027. Patel, therefore, wants to make full use of the upcoming six Tests.
“It always depends on conditions, and it depends on form and you making sure that you play well,” Patel said of the possibility of playing all 6 Tests in Asia. “It’s a great opportunity as a spinner. It’s something that I’m looking forward to and pretty excited about.”
Patel will also look to pick the brains of Sri Lanka’s former ace left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who has been roped in as New Zealand’s spin-bowling coach for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and following two Tests versus Sri Lanka.
“If you look at me and you look at Rangana, we’re pretty similar in terms of our build and body types. While developing and growing my spin, I watched him with a lot of admiration. So really, really special to have him with us, and for me, it’s a great opportunity to spend some time with him and really understand how he crafted his bowling,” said Patel.