For Patel, one good turn deserves another
As Ajaz Patel spun the Black Caps to a narrow win over Pakistan on Monday night, he had the backing of his team-mates at Taradale Cricket Club.
Since moving to Hawke’s Bay from Auckland in 2012, that’s where the left-arm spinner has plied his trade, leaving a strong impression.
Sean Davies coached Taradale’s senior team until this season and has liked what he’s seen from Patel, in particular the mindset he displayed when dropping down from Central Districts duty.
‘‘His attitude towards club cricket is of a similar standard to how he conducts himself in the first-class game. He’s incredibly professional,’’ Davies said.
‘‘Often you can see a first-class cricketer, when they come back to club level, the effort’s not necessarily as good as it could be, but he’s the polar opposite. He’s a fantastic professional, in every sense.’’
Davies said there had been plenty of interest in Patel on Monday night, as he took 5-59 to help the Black Caps to a four-run win in Abu Dhabi.
‘‘There were a lot of messages going on and a lot of support. A lot of people stayed up late last night to watch him bring the game home and I think a lot of people would have been jumping up and down, especially when he got that last one.’’
Patel has been one of the standout performers in the Plunket Shield in recent years, claiming more wickets over the past three seasons than anyone else. Last season he took 48 wickets at an average of 21.52 and was named NZ Cricket’s domestic player of the year.
He turned 30 in October, made his international debut at the end of the month in the Black Caps’ Twenty20 series against Pakistan, then received the nod for his test debut last week.
‘‘He’s a guy who, through a lot of hard work, has learnt his trade,’’ Davies said.
‘‘He’s very successful at club level, he’s been a phenomenal performer at first-class level.
‘‘He’s had quite a few knocks along the way and probably could have earned a callup a lot sooner, but at no stage has he ever moaned or complained about it, he’s just got on with his task and just got better and better.
‘‘He’s clearly set himself the goal of making the most of his abilities and he’s rolled with the punches and never once complained or given up. He’s been fantastic.’’
Davies said Patel had a strong connection to Taradale, touching base even when out of town with Central Districts, or more recently, the Black Caps.
‘‘It’s a phenomenal relationship. What I like about him is he follows the results of Taradale regularly.
‘‘Even if he’s on the road, he’ll look at the results and pass his congratulations on about performances, he’s in regular contact with the group. Even given how busy he is with his own cricket career, he’s still got time to do that, which is great.’’