In a sporadic test career, one thing is becoming a habit for Ajaz Patel: celebrating overseas test wins as the dressing room heaves to old school classics via DJ Ross Taylor.
Sunday at Edgbaston, Birmingham, was more subdued than after Patels test debut in Abu Dhabi in November 2018, but just as significant.
The eight-wicket victory over England was completed inside the first hour of day four to seal a rare and prized series victory – New Zealands first in the UK since 1999 and a first test victory at Edgbaston at their fifth attempt.
New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel snares Joe Roots wicket with captain Tom Latham.
It was Patels ninth test, and sixth overseas. Of those six hes won four (two against Pakistan and one each in Sri Lanka and England), and snared 26 wickets at 26.38. At home, where the sight of green pitches gives spin bowlers the shivers, Patel still awaits his first test wicket.
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The debut is always going to be special because it was my first experience of test cricket, my first taste. That was an amazing series, Patel said of his man of the match award on debut against Pakistan in 2018.
But I cherish this as much because, in a way it felt like a debut series again having been away with injury for so long and getting an opportunity.
For a lot of guys it was special beating England at home. Its a difficult feat and a lot of people have mentioned how hard its been in the past over here. Its nice to be on the other side of the coin, were making sure we enjoy the moment and have a bit of fun.
New Zealand players celebrate with the trophy after their 1-0 series win over England at Edgbaston.
And now, the fun continues with a nervous wait thrown in, after Patels match haul of 4-59 off 23 overs including the prized wicket of England captain Joe Root.
The extended 20-man squad get an unscheduled rest day as they return to their initial base at Southamptons Ageas Bowl where India await for the inaugural World Test Championship final starting Friday night (9.30pm NZT).
Five of the squad drop out on Monday as coach Gary Stead confirms his 15 for the decider, an International Cricket Council requirement. Indias spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja look likely to feature, while Patel and Mitchell Santner contend for the Black Caps spin berth.
Said Patel: Ive done my part and my preparation and now its up to the selectors. My foundation of faith [Patel is Muslim] allows me to be at peace with whatever happens…. Im trying to prepare like Im in the team. I wouldnt want to be a selector right now because theres some pretty tough decisions and weve got a squad thats playing some amazing cricket, and its been highlighted how much depth we really have.
England’s James Bracey falls to the spin of Ajaz Patel in the second test.
The Black Caps focus on the WTC final was clear when they rested Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme and made six changes from the draw at Lords.
Still they savoured the Edgbaston victory, just their sixth from 56 tests in England, which moved them back past India to world No 1.
Asked what was more important, a series win in England or the WTC final, stand-in skipper Tom Latham said: Both sound pretty good.
The dry, sluggish pitches at Lords and Edgbaston, caught the touring side on the hop but they adjusted with the likes of Patel, and assistance with prodigious swing from the Dukes ball. What is served up at the Ageas Bowl will be interesting, with groundsman Simon Lee predicting pace and bounce with potential for it to spin later.
Stand-in skipper Tom Latham enjoys the moment as the Black Caps win for the first time in a test in Birmingham.
They probably werent the surfaces we were expecting but its important we adapt, said Latham. Around the world nowadays to win away from home is not easy so for us to come here and pull this off is a great achievement. Certainly very exciting but we know weve got another huge test match coming up.
And for Patel, too, a world final against his country of birth would be huge. India have been preparing at the Ageas Bowl with an intra-squad match, and bookmakers can barely split the two sides with Virat Kohlis men slight favourites.
Either way its going to be a cracking game. Were playing some good cricket and I feel confident in the way were approaching it and were in a good position to push for that trophy, Patel said.