New Zealand ended up on the losing side in the Mumbai Test but it was Ajaz Patel who made the headlines by becoming only third bowler to take all 10 wickets in an innings in Test cricket. Few weeks later, New Zealand announced their Test squad for two-Test series in home conditions against Bangladesh and Patel’s name was missing.
New Zealand announced their 13-man Test squad for the series starting January. In Kane Williamson’s absence due to injury, Tom Latham will be leading the team in a full Test series for the first time and not just as a stand-in captain. Also, the hosts have named a 13-man squad instead of a general 15 or even more during Covid-19 teams. There is just one spinner in the team. Top-order batter and hero of the Kanpur Test Rachin Ravindra has got a chance in the side.
One valid explanation behind excluding the in-form left-arm spinner can be the pacer-friendly conditions. However, Patel has been a part of squad in home Test matches and even the part of the playing eleven.
Meanwhile, Devon Conway makes a comeback into the New Zealand side after recovering from injury. Conway got injured in the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final when he punched the bat in frustration after losing his wicket in the run chase against England. Conway was ruled out of the final and whole India tour because of the injury.
Daryl Mitchell also gets retained in the Test side. On Indian pitches, he could score only 73 runs from three innings including a half-century.
New Zealand 13-man squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Will Young
Bangladesh Test squad: Mominul Haque (c), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Fazle Mahmud, Liton Das (wk), Nurul Hasan (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Naim
