SL vs NZ | Tried to follow the template of Rangana Herath, reveals Ajaz Patel
Ajaz Patel has claimed that he learnt from the way Rangana Herath used to bowl on the Galle wicket and attempted to reproduce his style of consistent bowling in the match against Sri Lanka. He is a newcomer to international cricket and has so far been highly successful in his team’s tours to Asia.
With the country renowned for its green tops and pitches perfect for seam bowling, spinners in New Zealand often find it difficult to make it to the big stage. They struggle to get game time in domestic matches and even when they do, the conditions hardly allow them any kind of success. The country rarely plays a specialist spinner in international home matches and has failed to find a worthy successor to Daniel Vettori.
However, the one time when the slower bowlers of the country do get a chance to exhibit their talent is when they tour the subcontinent and other parts of Asia. The dusty pitches there offer a lot to the spinners, especially as and when the match progresses. It is fair to say so far Ajaz Patel has managed to take full advantage of what the continent has offered him so far.
The 30 year old made his debut in the UAE last year against Pakistan, where he was immediately thrown into the mix in the first test and he duly delivered. Defending a low target of 176, he ended with five scalps in the second innings to win the match for his team by four runs. He would end with 13 wickets from three matches and is now in Sri Lanka emulating the same form.
“I think with surfaces that offer you something, you've got to stay patient and ask good questions of the batsman. We know Sri Lankans are good players of spin, so you've got to respect that and make sure you put balls in good areas for long periods," Patel was quoted saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Initially struggling with the pace a bit, Patel soon wreaked havoc in the first test. As he admits, he has learned by observing Sri Lankan legend Rangana Herath which has helped him bag another five-for, sweeping through the Sri Lankan top order. The five wickets were those of the team’s first six batsmen which indeed seems a remarkable feat.
"Bowling in the UAE there was a lot more bounce. Over here there's not so much bounce, so you try and keep the stumps in play. One of the greats, Rangana, who has got 100 wickets in Galle - if you see the template that he set out when bowling on this wicket, he looked to attack the sticks and keep them in play the whole time, and allow the batters to make decisions around off stump. You've got to keep hanging in and play the long game," Patel concluded.
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