AJAZ PATEL and WILL YOUNG are set to resume their matchwinning ways in the BLACKCAPS' Test squad with both Stags named for the forthcoming series in Zimbabwe.

Young was named Player of the Series when the BLACKCAPS won the history-making Series in India late last year, while Patel was Player of the Match (with 5/103 and 6/57) in the third and final Test that sealed India's fate in Mumbai.

The pair will head to Zimbabwe after representing the CENTRAL STAGS at the imminent ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League in Guyana.

Patel is looking forward to being back in action for the first time this calendar year, after a carefully managed rehabilitation from a knee injury and microfractures in his tibia.

"I did my knee injury first game in India, and then played through that series," explains Patel.

"Came back and it felt okay, but by the end of the first half of the Plunket Shield last season, I certainly knew that it wasn't quite right."

He was last sighted hobbling up the steps of Bay Oval after a long day in the field.

"When I got the scans done, I found out that I had those microfractures and from there on it was a long, staged recovery plan.

Will Young will be huntinfg a maiden Test century | MBUTCHER

"I was thinking it would be six to eight weeks, like a normal bone injury, but it's certainly taken a lot longer."

Now he's back on two feet, and excited to be joining the Stags for their first ever appearance in the Americas - Game One against the Dubai Capitals beginning at 2am NZT this Friday, 11 July, after the 2025 Dream11 Super Smash champions were invited to the second edition of the five-team GSL.

Patel missed that winning Super Smash campaign in its entirety, but has unfinished business in the T20 arena - while Young will pick up where he left off when he helped the team win the trophy at the Basin last summer.

But the spinner says his injury break did bring him tangible benefits.

"It turned out to be a really good time of reflection for me, a chance to look back at where my career has come from to where I am at now. 

"If anything, it's probably started to burn the fire in me a bit more, as to what I still want to achieve."

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Currently, the star left-armer is sitting on 85 Test wickets from just 21 matches, including seven bags, and his two hauls of 10 or more for the match - including his globally noteworthy feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings, also in Mumbai against India, on his previous Test tour there.

He seems to remain an 'overseas Test specialist' within the BLACKCAPS' framework, and having had his family with him in Mumbai on the latest 2024 tour of India counts as one of the all-time personal highlights of his career.

When he took the previous 10-for, it was still in the pandemic era where family couldn't watch the games in person.

"So winning the series last year was amazing, being able to do it in front of family and look up and see my parents in the stand and share it with them.

"That was the biggest moment for me because obviously I haven't had opportunities to play in New Zealand, so generally my family, my parents, wife, daughter don't get to watch me play for New Zealand - which has always been quite tough."

Rob Walter | MBUTCHER

The tour will be new BLACKCAPS Head Coach ROB WALTER's first red-ball tour in charge, Walter having previously been Head Coach of the Stags as well.

He and his selection panel have brought quick, uncapped Northern Districts paceman Matt Fisher into a BLACKCAPS squad for the first time, with 15 named for the African adventure.

“He’s one of the fastest bowlers in the country and we think he’s got an X-factor," said Walter.

“We’re blessed to have a large number of strong fast bowlers in this country and looking forward to adding Matt into that mix now, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the BLACKCAPS.”

Left-hand batter Henry Nicholls returns and the rest of the squad has a settled appearance for New Zealand’s first Test tour to Zimbabwe since 2016, albeit with Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell unavailable as they manage other playing commitments.

The squad will assemble in Bulawayo on July 27 following the BLACKCAPS' T20i Tri-Series in Harare. Match coverage of the tour will be live and free to air in New Zealand on THREE Now.

 

 

 

2025 Test Tour of Zimbabwe

SCHEDULE

8PM NZT Wednesday, July 30 • Harare

8PM NZT Thursday 7 August • Bulawayo

Central Stags

Ajaz Patel

Will Young

Northern Districts

Matt Fisher*

Mitch Santner

Wellington Firebirds

Tom Blundell

Devon Conway

Rachin Ravindra

Nathan Smith

Canterbury

Matt Henry

Tom Latham (c)

Daryl Mitchell

Henry Nicholls

Will O'Rourke

Otago Volts

Jacob Duffy

Glenn Phillips

* Uncapped

Article added: Wednesday 11 June 2025