AJAZ PATEL is gearing up to see hopefully his first Test action since December 2023 after having been named in the BLACKCAPS Test squad to play Afghanistan in India and then tour Sri Lanka.

The Central Stags master craftsman has been named alongside teammate WILL YOUNG in a 15-strong touring party.

The squad also sees pace bowling pair Canterbury's Will O'Rourke and Wellington's Ben Sears in the picture for their first overseas Test experiences, while Wellington's Michael Bracewell returns to the squad 18 months on from his last Test match appearance before an injury derailment last year.

WILL YOUNG | PHOTOSPORT

Spinner Patel has 62 wickets from just 16 Test matches for New Zealand, including his famous 10/119 in one special innings in Mumbai.

He's been seldom sighted when the team has been assembled for Test matches in the New Zealand home summers, but the prospect of returning to India - where the BLACKCAPS will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Noida on 9-13 September 2024 - provides another great opportunity for the popular left-armer.

After playing Afghanistan, there will be two ICC World Test Championship Tests on the menu in Sri Lanka, starting on 18 September and 26 September, respectively.

Patel is one of five spin options alongside fellow left-armers Mitch Santner and Rachin Ravindra, and Bracewell and Glenn Phillips.

AJAZ PATEL IN TRAINING | PHOTOSPORT

Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell meanwhile form a settled top order, with Tom Blundell taking the gloves and Young providing the batting cover, said NZC today.

After a busy off-season on the UK scene with Nottingham - where he totted up his 16th first-class hundred, Young will get on the plane with 16 Test matches and 717 runs under his belt, with a Test best of 89.

WILL YOUNG | PHOTOSPORT

The September campaign begins a busy four-month-long period of cricket for the BLACKCAPS' Test side, with three Tests scheduled in India across October and November as well before England arrive in New Zealand for the much anticipated three-Test Series to start the international home summer of 2024/25.

The BLACKCAPS currently sit third on the ICC World Test Championship ladder, ahead of their final three Series in the current championship cycle.

BLACKCAPS Coach Gary Stead said the two ICC World Test Championship matches against Sri Lanka would be crucial for the BLACKCAPS who currently sit behind the last edition's finalists, Australia and India.

AJAZ PATEL IN THE PLUNKET SHIELD | PHOTOSPORT

“We know how important the points in Sri Lanka will be to our chances of pushing for a finals spot in England next year," said Stead.

“We managed one win from the two Test Series in challenging conditions in Bangladesh last December, and are keen to build on that.

“The whole squad is looking forward to test their skills in the longest form of the game in the sub-continent.”

 

WILL YOUNG | PHOTOSPORT

The squad features five players from the Wellington Firebirds who will begin the new season as the defending Plunket Shield champions, with Domestic men's and women's schedules to be announced later this month.

The BLACKCAPS Test squad departs for India on 4 September, with New Zealand-based players attending a camp at Lincoln, Canterbury this week from 14-16 August.

A New Zealand A men's squad will also be named in the coming months.

TEST SQUAD

September 2024

versus

Afghanistan | Sri Lanka

Tim Southee - captain, Northern Districts

Tom Latham - vice-captain, Canterbury

Tom Blundell - wicketkeeper, Wellington Firebirds

Michael Bracewell - Wellington Firebirds

Devon Conway - Wellington Firebirds

Matt Henry - Canterbury

Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury

Will O’Rourke - Canterbury

AJAZ PATEL - Central Stags

Glenn Phillips - Otago Volts

Rachin Ravindra - Wellington Firebirds

Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts

Ben Sears - Wellington Firebirds

Kane Williamson - Northern Districts

WILL YOUNG - Central Stags

Unavailable

Kyle Jamieson (back injury)

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Article added: Sunday 11 August 2024

Author: Margot Butcher

All images: Photosport | Published under licence or ©️Margot Butcher