Ajaz Patel Returns as New Zealand Announce Squad For Afghanistan & Sri Lanka Tests

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Spinner Ajaz Patel was handed a return to the red ball side as New Zealand on Monday (August 12) announced a strong squad for next month's one-off Test against Afghanistan and two-match series against Sri Lanka.

Patel returned to the national side for the first time since the Bangladesh tour late last year. The spinner replaces pace-bowling all-rounder Scott Kuggelejin from the Black Caps' last Test squad.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell also returns to the Test set up, having made his return from injury in the T20I series earlier this year in Pakistan. Opener Devon Conway also is back after missing the home series against Australia earlier this year.

The rest of the squad is similar to the one that lost 2-0 to Australia on home soil, with experienced quick Tim Southee retained as captain of a side that includes key batters Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, as per ICC.

Will Young and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell will be the other batting options in the squad. Southee will receive support from fellow pacers Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke, while the Kiwis have included Mitchell Santner, Patel and Bracewell as spin options alongside part-timers Phillips and Ravindra.

New Zealand Squad for Afghanistan & Sri Lanka Tests

Tim Southee (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Kane Williamson, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vice captain), Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Will Young.

With spin expected to play a crucial role during the matches on the sub-continent, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has already raised the prospect of Southee and his fellow fast bowlers not being used in every match.

"Test tours to the sub-continent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers due to the nature of the pitches and the heat and humidity. While we're going over with an open mind around conditions, there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests," Gary Stead said as quoted by ICC.

"Tim and I have discussed this, and the need during these overseas tours to balance the workloads of the pace-bowlers, including himself, to ensure the team is best served."

The Kiwis will take on Afghanistan in a single Test in Noida (India) from September 9 to 13, before travelling to Sri Lanka for two ICC World Test Championship matches commencing on September 18 and September 26.

The matches will be pivotal for New Zealand in their quest to qualify for next year's World Test Championship final according to Stead, with the Kiwis currently occupying third place on the standings below pacesetters India and Australia.

Following the two matches in Sri Lanka, New Zealand are scheduled to take on India in a three-match series away from home during October and November before another three-game series at home against England at the end of the year.