New Zealand leave out Ajaz Patel for Bangladesh Tests after record-breaking spell vs India

It was shocking to see that Ajaz Patel was named in the 13 man squad of New Zealand named for the two-match series at home against a touring Bangladesh side. The team has however retained Rachin Ravindra as a spin-bowling all-rounder in the side but there is no specialist spinner. 

Along with Patel, Kane Williamson will also not be available for the series and in his absence, Tom Latham would lead the side. 

“It’s obviously disappointing not to have Kane available for this series but, as we noted in India, he is undergoing a sustained period of rest followed by rehabilitation, strengthening and gradual batting loading,” Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach said in a statement released by the New Zealand Cricket. 

Talking about Ajaz Patel’s removal from the squad, the coach said. “You do feel for Ajaz after his record-breaking display in India. However, we’ve always applied a horses-for-courses selection policy and believe the players selected best fit the way we want to take on Bangladesh here at home.”

“We feel having both Rachin and Daryl in the squad gives us a nice balance and the ability to pick a side best suited to the conditions we expect,” he further added. 

New Zealand play two Tests against Bangladesh with the first one starting on January 01 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. 

New Zealand Test Squad

Tom Latham (c) - Canterbury, Tom Blundell (wk) - Wellington Firebirds, Trent Boult - Northern Districts, Devon Conway - Wellington Firebirds, Matt Henry - Canterbury, Kyle Jamieson - Auckland Aces, Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury, Henry Nicholls - Canterbury, Rachin Ravindra - Wellington Firebirds, Tim Southee - Northern Districts, Ross Taylor - Central Stags, Neil Wagner - Northern Districts, Will Young - Central Stags