Ajaz Patel Named In New Zealand's 15-Man Squad For The ICC World Test Championship Final

New Zealand have announced a 15-member squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. India and New Zealand will lock horns on the 18th of June to claim the ultimate prize in the longest format. The Kiwis have already fired a warning shot to Virat Kohli’s men by beating England in their backyard recently.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who shone in the second Test against England at the Edgbaston, has been named in the squad. The 32-year old took four wickets in the match, including dismissing England captain Joe Root in the second innings cheaply. Nevertheless, the seamers’ penetrative show in both the Tests against the Englishmen leaves Patel’s possibility of playing in the decider in doubt. Captain Kane Williamson, who skipped the second Test against England due to injury concerns, is back to lead the side in the high-voltage encounter.

Simultaneously, Will Young, his replacement for the match, has also made it to the squad after scoring a pristine 82 in Birmingham. Nevertheless, Young’s probability of playing also remains in doubt. Matt Henry has also been picked as he performed remarkably well at the Edgbaston, taking six scalps and has a history of troubling the Indian side. The most recent ICC event between India and New Zealand saw Henry dismantle India’s batting line-up early on. Thus, The Black Caps are likely to field five seamers in Henry, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, and Tim Southee.

New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the ICC World Test Championship final:

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young.

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