PATEL PUTS HAND UP
COME in spinner.
But which one?
The first test against South Africa in Dunedin was a draw but Jeetan Patel arguably had a clear points victory in the battle of the New Zealand spinners.
The Black Caps opted to play two specialist spinners on home soil for the first time since 2010.
Veteran Wellington offspinner Patel happened to play in that match and had to wait seven years for another opportunity in front of a home crowd.
It was worth the wait with the 36yearold picking up four wickets in the match and creating many more opportunities.
He also has the measure of the dangerous Quinton de Kock, nabbing his wicket four times in four innings.
Leftarm spinner Mitchell Santner also had a tidy match, picking up the wicket of Temba Bavuma.
But both are unlikely to be in the starting XI when the second test gets under way in Wellington on Thursday. The Basin Reserve pitch is expected to suit the seamers and that means either Patel or Santner will miss out.
But which one? Black Caps captain Kane Williamson played a sound defensive shot when asked that question in a roundabout at yesterday’s post match press conference.
‘‘That is a good question,’’ he said.
‘‘I think we have the luxury at the moment of having a few highquality spinners in the country that all do different things.
‘‘The main consideration going into a game is looking at what strengths we have and matching them to the surface and potentially how we can target some players in the opposition.
‘‘It is a very good problem to have.’’
South African captain Faf du Plessis felt Patel was more dangerous as he consistently landed the ball in the footmarks.
Du Plessis said he has been surprised by the conditions in New Zealand and suggested the touring side would look at playing a second spinner in the third test in Hamilton.