There was no prize for guessing as New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel was named International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's Player of the Month for December 2021. The formidable left-arm spinner created history by taking 10 wickets in an innings as he became just the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble to achieve the feat. He was also successful in taking 17 wickets in the away series against India despite BlackCaps losing the two-Test series by 1-0.
Ajaz was the front runner for the prize once he had achieved the feat. The southpaw beat players like Marnus Labuschagne, Scott Boland, KL Rahul to win the the award. Interestingly, the bowler managed to achieve his feat in his birth city, Mumbai where he also had the opportunity to pick a hat-trick but missed out. Patel ended with the figures of 14/225 in the match with 10/119 in the first innings. The 33-year-old's tally of 17 wickets was three better than India's Ravichandran Ashwin.
Dropped from the team despite the historic achievement
While he scripted history with his record 10-wicket haul, it was not enough for the left-arm spinner to guarantee a place for the next home series. He was dropped by the selectors for the Bangladesh tour and was the missing piece in the puzzle as the Kiwis suffered a shambolic historic loss against the underdogs.
Ajaz surpassed New Zealand's Richard Hadlee's best bowling figures of 9/52 against Australia in November 1985. The news comes as a mixed emotion for the player as he faced axe from the team. New Zealand currently trail the two-match Test series 1-0, but have established a healthy lead in the second Test match, thanks to stand-in captain Tom Latham’s terrific 252-run knock.
While Ajaz waits for his opportunity, he will have work to do to be back in the frame for the national squad. In his 11 Test matches, he has so far picked 43 wickets and will be eyeing a return. The 33-year-old could yet play a vital role as the Kiwis prepare to defend their World Test Championship (WTC) title.
