Over a year since his last Test appearance for New Zealand, frontline spinner Ajaz Patel has received the call up for the Blackcaps’ third Test against the West Indies.
If named in the eleven, the Bay Oval match would mark 410 days since the Central Districts bowler last played for NZ, as part of the historic side that swept India in a three-match Test series on their turf.
Biding his time, Patel has continued to apply his trade in the country’s domestic scene, recently celebrating his 400th first-class wicket in a 295-run Stags win over Canterbury. During that match, the left-arm orthodox spinner took 2/37 and 3/37 – including the wicket of fellow Blackcap Kyle Jamieson twice.
Jamieson himself has been left out as he continues NZ Cricket’s return-to-play plan for red-ball cricket following a second back injury. After the West Indies series, the Blackcaps won’t play any further Tests until Ireland and England mid-2026.
Famous for taking all ten wickets in a Test innings against India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 2021 – his non-selections for home Tests have often brought with it criticism from Kiwi cricket fans wanting to see one of the country’s best perform at home beyond the Plunket Shield.
Patel’s inclusion to the Blackcaps squad could see the 37-year-old play his first Test match on home soil since February 2021.
“Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required. Bay Oval, as we know, has typically taken more turn than other surfaces around New Zealand, and the fact he turns the ball away from the right-hander is very appealing,” Blackcaps head coach Rob Walter said in a statement.
“Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack, along with our seamers who have been doing a great job thus far this series.”
Also returning is wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, who missed out on the nine-wicket win at Wellington’s Basin Reserve to recover from the hamstring tear that he sustained during the first Test.
Blundell’s selection sees Mitchell Hay return back to domestic cricket after making a notable contribution during his Test debut for New Zealand.
“We know Mitch’s quality from his time with the white-ball side, and he did a great job for us in Wellington – it’s very pleasing to have that added depth at wicketkeeper,” Walter said.
The young Canterbury wicketkeeper indeed took his chances in Blundell’s absence. The 25-year-old made three dismissals with the gloves – plus his involvement in the second innings run out of Brandon King – and a maiden Test half-century, scoring a match-leading 61 runs off 93 deliveries.
Due to injuries, New Zealand’s pace bowling attack will stick with the inexperienced, yet exciting trio of Michael Rae, Zak Foulkes, and Jacob Duffy, plus the uncapped Kristian Clarke.
Player of the Match: Jacob Duffy – NZ vs West Indies, 2nd Test | Sport Nation Cricket
Duffy once again impressed with another 5-wicket-haul, earning Player of the Match honours, while Rae took 3/66 and 3/45 in his first Test.
“We couldn’t have asked for more from Michael on his debut,” Walter said.
“The energy he brings to the group and the added benefit of his height means he’s able to extract plenty out of the surface, which he did so in Wellington.”
The rest of the Blackcaps’ squad remains unchanged as preparations continue ahead of the Mount Maunganui finale.
A NZ win will secure their series win, while a West Indies victory will have the three-match Test series end in a stalemate after the first Test at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval ended in a gutsy draw with the visitors.
Join Sport Nation’s award-winning commentary team for live ball-by-ball coverage of the three-Test series between the Blackcaps and the West Indies, the third Test begins December 18 from 10am on the Sport Nation app and all New Zealand frequencies.
Blackcaps 3rd Test squad vs West Indies
Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
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