The Curious Summer Of Ajaz Patel
Fun fact: Ajaz Patel took more wickets in his last Test than he did in all three domestic formats combined last summer. Mumbai magic boosted Patel's mana last year as he snared 14 wickets in the second Test against India with 10w taken in a single innings, before Patel slipped deep into the domestic cricket mangroves. Folks tend not to venture deep into the mangroves and that's all the Niche Cache does, so fire up the Jahtearoa vitamins and jump in the kayak...
After taking 14w in one Test, Patel took 12w across the Aotearoa summer. This is a combination of Patel not playing much white ball cricket and a general lack of oomph in Patel's mahi. Patel was solid in his lone Ford Trophy game with 2w @ 3.25rpo in 8 overs, while six Super Smash games saw Patel take 2w @ 79avg/10.53rpo.
Patel's not a T20 weapon though right? Take out the 2016 Super Smash when Patel bowled just 4ov and Patel had four seasons between 2014-2019 with 10+ wickets and averages below 24. Then Patel took 7w @ 47.85avg in the 2020 Super Smash before blowing out to 79avg last summer. Patel's also snapped up T20I opportunities with seven games producing 11w @ 10.72avg, all of which puts Patel's recent Super Smash mahi into context.
Patel has been less productive in Ford Trophy. Last summer is his only List-A season (of six) in which Patel has averaged below 35. Patel commanded a Blackcaps Test call up in 2018 thanks to his best season of First Class bowling in 2017/18 with 48w @ 21.52avg. That was Patel's third consecutive season with 40+ Plunket Shield wickets, although Patel averaged 30+ in all six of his first seasons. The summer of 2017/18 is the only FC season in which Patel has averaged below 30.
Since making his Test debut Patel has averaged 42.42, 38.64, 90.50 and 43.75 in Aotearoa FC summers. Given that Patel has averaged below 30 in one of 10 FC seasons, we can't be surprised about Patel's return to Aotearoa after Mumbai magic. Nor should we be surprised that Patel has 43w in Test cricket and no Test wickets in Aotearoa.
43w in Test cricket and an average of 27 points to a legit Test spinner though. Patel was fantastic against Pakistan in 2018 with 13w in three Tests, also really good against Sri Lanka in 2019 with 9w in two Tests. Prior to taking 17w in two Tests vs India last year, Patel bagged his funkiest performance with 4w against England in Birmingham. Hence Patel is named in the Test squad to tour England and may push for a 1st 11 spot.
Take a moment to challenge perception. Ish Sodhi is not viewed as a longform spinner and yet Sodhi took 9w @ 17.44avg in Plunket Shield last summer, so let's venture deeper into this comparison...
2017/18
Ajaz Patel: 48w @ 21.52avg/44.5sr.
Ish Sodhi: 28w @ 13.92avg/34.5sr.
2018/19
Ajaz Patel: 14w @ 36.64avg/88.2sr.
Ish Sodhi: 36w @ 24.97avg/52.4sr.
2019/20
Ajaz Patel: 14w @ 26avg/55.3sr.
Ish Sodhi: 3w @ 80avg/109.6sr.
2020/21
Ajaz Patel: 2w @ 90.50avg.
Ish Sodhi: 17w @ 28.29avg/59.8sr.
2021/22
Ajaz Patel: 8w @ 43.75avg/105sr.
Ish Sodhi: 9w @ 17.44avg/53.1sr.
In all but one of those Plunket Shield seasons, Aotearoa's best white ball spinner has been notably better than Aotearoa's Test spinner. This comparison challenges our perception of these spinners and the little pockets folks like to stash players into, while also comparing two of Aotearoa's spin extremes. Personally, I love funk and razzle dazzle. The Blackcaps though, with one of the best seam attacks in the world and legendary Aotearoa seamers, don't need funk or razzle dazzle.
Aotearoa's Test team needs a complimentary piece and Patel's Test standing is based around this role. This is also why the Blackcaps persist with batters who bowl spin as they want a spin option while also trying to fit in an extra batter. These spinny-batters ... let's just say there not churning out the same Plunket Shield mahi as Sodhi.
As we kayak deeper into the mangroves, there are two different routes ahead. The Aotearoa spin landscape route is a bigger yarn for another day and we'll keep paddling along the Patel route. Patel is the best bloke for the role that this Blackcaps group requires as his skillset revolves around consistency, subtle variations and patience. I believe this skillset is more valuable than a spinner half as good as Patel who offers a perceived batting advantage.
There is something brewing here with Patel as his Test mahi is better than his domestic stuff. This bumps Patel in a tier of Aotearoa cricketers who don't need to shine in Plunket Shield or other formats because what they do at the higher level is simply better. Neil Wagner provides an extreme and slightly different version of his as he only really plays Test cricket with the odd Plunket Shield appearance sprinkled in; all good because Wagner is a Test legend.
Patel commanded this type of attention when he snared 14w in one Test of Mumbai magic. Should Patel continue to take 3+ wickets in every second Test overseas, then Patel will settle into a groove where I'm not really fussed what he does in Aotearoa. Patel's Test record is bolstered by performing in United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and India which makes this upcoming series in England low key fascinating for Patel.
Last year in England, Patel took 2w in either innings and conceded 2.56rpo for the Test. 3w were middle order batters and Patel also dismissed Joe Root while Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner did most of the mahi. That's the Patel role for Aotearoa and Patel has executed this role rather nicely in his 11 Tests, now the tour of England provides fresh insights to enjoy.
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Peace and love.