“Sometimes it can be challenging,” Ajaz said when asked about his career trajectory, “But at the same time, for me, its about trying to become the best cricketer I can be, being the best bowler that I can be and that’s kind of what’s motivated me and I guess forced me to continue to pursue and push to get better and those opportunities kind of come alongside that. It’s always exciting when you do get an opportunity to then put yourself up against some of the best in the world and see how you stack up.”
The likelihood of help for spinners in Mount Maunganui contributed to Ajaz’s selection.
“Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said. “Bay Oval, as we know, has typically taken more turn than other surfaces around New Zealand, and the fact he turns the ball away from the right-hander is very appealing.
“Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack, along with our seamers who have been doing a great job thus far this series.”
Fast bowlers Michael Rae, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy and Kristian Clarke remain in the squad for the third Test. Seam-bowling allrounder Kyle Jamieson, who recently made a return to first-class cricket for the first time since recovering from a back injury, is “progressing well through his red-ball return-to-play plan,” according to an NZC release. “He will continue to work closely with BLACKCAPS support staff on his return to the Test arena. Jamieson is working through a conditioning block after a full start to the summer, as part of his preparation for what is shaping up to be a busy first half of 2026.”
New Zealand squad for third Test vs West Indies
Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young
