Ajaz Patel in line for long-awaited home Test as New Zealand name squad for third West Indies clash

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel could play his first home Test in more than five years after being included in New Zealand’s squad for the third and final Test against West Indies, which begins on Thursday at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Conditions at the venue are expected to assist spin, increasing the likelihood of Ajaz featuring in the XI.

Ajaz has not played a Test in over a year, with his last appearance coming in Mumbai in November 2024, where he delivered a memorable Player-of-the-Match performance, taking 11 wickets as New Zealand completed a historic 3-0 whitewash of India. Despite being New Zealand’s preferred frontline spinner overseas, opportunities at home have been limited due to the seamer-friendly nature of domestic pitches and the team’s reliance on spin-bowling allrounders.

Only three of Ajaz’s 21 Tests have been played on home soil, the most recent being against India in Wellington in February 2020. The 37-year-old recently reached another milestone, claiming his 400th first-class wicket while representing Central Districts in the Plunket Shield.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said Bay Oval’s characteristics played a key role in Ajaz’s recall.
“Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required,” Walter said. “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. Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack.”

The squad also welcomes back wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, who missed the second Test in Wellington due to a hamstring tear sustained during the series opener in Christchurch. His return means Mitchell Hay, who made an impressive Test debut with a score of 61 in New Zealand’s innings victory, returns to domestic duties with Canterbury.

Fast bowler Blair Tickner has been ruled out after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Wellington. However, Michael Rae, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Kristian Clarke retain their places in the squad. Seam-bowling allrounder Kyle Jamieson, who recently returned to first-class cricket following a back injury, continues his rehabilitation and conditioning programme and remains unavailable for Test selection.

New Zealand currently lead the three-match series 1-0 and will be aiming to secure the series with a strong performance in Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand squad for third Test vs West Indies:
Tom Latham (capt), 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.