Sorry Sir Richard, you won't be required for the second cricket test at Sydney in 1985 because the pitch is spin-friendly
Sorry Sir Richard, you won't be required for the second cricket test at Sydney in 1985 because the pitch is spin-friendly
23 December 2021
A comparable scenario has occurred for Ajaz Patel ahead of the Bangladesh two-test series starting on New Year's Day at Mt Maunganui.
19 days ago the spinner became the third bowler to take 10 wickets in a test innings - and went on to secure 14 for the match.
He's been dropped in favour of a seam-heavy attack at home in the 13-man squad with Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry preferred.
Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra provide all-rounder options.
11 of the 64 wickets in Bay Oval's two tests have come via spin.
In the Black Caps selectors' defence, Patel has played three tests in New Zealand for no wickets from 49 overs.
His punishment could enable the batting to be bolstered with Ravindra, given Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and Tom Blundell contributed 97 runs from 12 innings between them in the Indian series.
NEWSTALK ZB'S INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COVERAGE WITH RESENE. NEW ZEALAND'S MOST TRUSTED PAINT, YEAR AFTER YEAR
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