Ajaz Patel, hero of New Zealand’s clean sweep in India, was dropped for the England series

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Spinner Ajaz Patel, whose 11 wickets in the third Test against India this month helped New Zealand to an unprecedented clean sweep of that series, has been left out of the Black Caps squad for the upcoming Test series against England .

Patel had match figures of 11-160 as New Zealand won the third Test by 25 runs, becoming the first team to beat India in a three-match Test series at home.

The selectors have not found a place for him in a 14-man squad to be named for the three-Test series against England on Friday.

Mitchell Santner, who took 13-157 in the second Test against India, is the only frontline spinner in the squad, although he will only play in the second and third Tests.

“Mitch has performed excellently since his recall to the Test team last year and I am sure he will take great confidence from his match-winning performance in the Pune Test,” said selector Sam Wells.

Wells said it was difficult to leave out Patel but Santner had been preferred due to his recent form and all-round ability, while Glenn Phillips offers another spin option.

Patel is often overlooked during Test series in New Zealand conditions. After taking 10-119 in an innings against India in 2021, he was also left out of the next home series against Bangladesh.

In other features of the squad, Kane Williamson, who missed the India series with a groin injury, returns, but Tom Latham retains the captaincy and uncapped all-rounder Nathan Harris has been called in.

“Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven first-class track record,” Wells said.

The first test in Christchurch starts on November 28. The second test is scheduled for December 6 to 10 in Wellington and the third for December 14 in Hamilton.

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New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young .

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