New Zealand vs Bangladesh LIVE: In a shocking development, New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel has been ignored for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, as reported earlier by InsideSport. The development comes even as Ajaz Patel took 10 wickets haul and overall 14 wickets in the Mumbai Test against India. Follow NZ vs BAN LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
New Zealand vs Bangladesh LIVE: KIWI SHOCKER, ‘Perfect – 10’ hero Ajaz Patel dropped for Bangladesh test series
Ajaz Patel had last played for Blackcaps in February 2020. In their last five home Tests, Kiwis have gone with full-fledged four pacers. They won all their matches with a seamer playing a key role in all these games. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is likely to continue with the winning formula. And, Ajaz couldn’t complain as 43 out of his 52 wickets have come overseas. He has managed just 9 wickets in 12 home Tests.
“You do feel for Ajaz after his record-breaking display in India,” coach Mike Stead said in a statement.
“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.”
There’s no space for a specialist spinner in the 13-man squad, meaning left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel misses out despite his heroics in India, with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell covering the spin and seam all-rounder spots, respectively.
The 33-year-old achieved the rare feat in the second test against India in Mumbai earlier this month but was deemed surplus to requirements for next month’s matches on the greener surfaces of Mount Maunganui and Christchurch.
All-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell can offer spin but New Zealand’s main focus will be on moving the ball at pace with seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry all selected.
Training this morning at Hagley Oval for Christchurch based members of the Test Squad to take on @BCBtigers. The squad assemble in Tauranga after Christmas for the first match in the Walton Test Series starting on New Year’s Day. 📷= @CanterburyCrick #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/gnW5tiLp9V
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 22, 2021
New Zealand vs Bangladesh LIVE:Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the Test series against Bangladesh starting at Bay Oval on New Year’s Day.
In the absence of Williamson, batter Tom Latham will be leading the BlackCaps in the series. Following an impressive start to his Test career in England, Devon Conway returns to the squad. He suffered a hand injury in the ICC T20 World Cup semi-final against England in November.
Some big names in the @BLACKCAPS Test squad to face Bangladesh starting Jan 1.
Any surprises?
Catch all the action live and on-demand, only on Spark Sport ⭕ pic.twitter.com/lzKtgVGkC4
— Spark Sport (@sparknzsport) December 22, 2021
“It’s great to be back home and at venues, we know well, and where we’ve had success in recent times,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead as per an official release.
New Zealand vs Bangladesh LIVE: “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 load. We have every confidence in Tom leading the side – he’s done an excellent job in the past when called upon,” he added.
New Zealand Test squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
NZ vs BAN: Ajaz Patel ignored despite PERFECT 10 in Mumbai Test, Tom Latham to lead Blackcaps in absence of injured Kane Williamson
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