Spinner Ajaz Patel, who made history by taking all 10 wickets in an innings in the second Test against India in early December, has been dropped from the squad for New Zealand’s very next series against Bangladesh at home. Ajaz, 33, was only the third in the history of Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings and ended the match with 14 wickets in nearly 67 overs that he bowled.
Rachin Ravindra, who also made an impression in the two-Test series in India, is the only spin bowling option that New Zealand have opted for in the 13-man squad. The series will be played in New Zealand and starts on New Year’s Day in Mount Maunganui.
Tom Latham will lead the side in the absence of the injured Kane Williamson. Williamson’s long-standing elbow injury had flared up during the T20 World Cup in November, which led to him sitting out the subsequent T20I series against India. While he then played the first Test in Kanpur, he sat out the Mumbai Test, in which Latham was the captain of the team as well.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead had said after the first Test that Williamson could be out for a lengthy period, although it is unlikely that he will undergo surgery.
Ajaz walked back to a standing ovation from the Indian fans at the Wankhede Stadium after taking the 10th wicket during the second Test.