New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has completed one of Test cricket’s greatest ever achievements against India, joining the most exclusive of clubs by taking all ten wickets in an innings – just the third such instance in Test history.
The left-arm spinner, who was born in Mumbai before emigrating to the land of the long white cloud at eight years old, finished with the incredible figures of 47.5-12-119-10, having started Day 2 at the Wankhede Stadium with four wickets already in the bag.
Patel joins Indian legend Anil Kumble, who took all 10 against Pakistan in 1999; and Jim Laker, who famously took 10/53 (and 19 for the match) against Australia in 1956, widely regarded as the greatest bowling performance of all time. Outstanding company for the unassuming Patel, playing just his 11th Test and with only 29 wickets to his name heading into the match.
Unsurprisingly, it is also the best Test bowling figures by a New Zealander, beating out Richard Hadlee’s famous 9/52 against Australia at the Gabba in 1985.
As expected, the cricket world has lost its mind over the outstanding performance. Chief among them was Kumble himself, who welcomed Patel to the exclusive club.
The effort has lit up New Zealand cricket Twitter, with current and former stars of the game in awe of Patel’s achievement.
Indian greats from VVS Laxman to current bowler Shardul Thakur also had nothing but praise for the Black Caps spinner.
The effort also proved enough to breach the Trans-Tasman rivalry, with Australian limited-overs captain Aaron Finch also joining in the adulation.
However, there is a fly in the soup: Patel is now a chance to become the first bowler in Test history to take all ten wickets in a losing side. India were still able to manage a respectable 325 in their first innings despite Patel’s heroics, while the Black Caps were skittled for just 62 in response. (Patel was left stranded on 0 not out.)
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
and early 1980 I believe
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
ajaz patel has done really well and what makes the record more amazing it is away from home for him the other 2 were at home and jimlakers were for england against australia. we will end up losing though its only a matter of how many we lose by
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Yes a bit of a let down that ending. Orac is even smugger than Avon, the amount of times someone switched him off in exasperation!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
UFO was before even my time but I'll give it a go. Just finished the third Sapphire and Steel assignment, the next one is the first I remember giving me a proper scare "I don't remember what his face looks like..." He turns around and doesn't have one!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
2015/16. Five tests in the two countries, Wagner finally got a go in the last test and took about as many wickets as Bracewell managed in the first four.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
And Richard Hadlee in taking his 9-52 vs Australia took the catch that gave Vaughan Brown his sole test wicket. Hadlee had taken the first 8 up to that point. Match figures of 15-123 were just astounding. And he hit a 45 ball 54 as well as the Kiwis imposed themselves with an innings win for the ages for them.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sedz NZ win at home all the time so that must prove all those sides you mention cant play away either. Playing away is the thorn in every cricket teams side. NZ do very well away v most but struggle to play in India and Aus.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Hey Unders. NZ is the no 1 team in test cricket :laughing: Thats not a suggestion its a fact.
sedz
Guest
Did kiwi won the series they last played in SA? From what I know NZ lost home series against SA. NZ can't play against India/Aus/SA away. Truth is they were lucky to get away by playing WTC in England. India hardly had any warm up game either.
Unders
Roar Pro
Australia nearly beat India in India in 2017, smashed them by 330 odd runs in one game. Currently, NZ are 62 all out in Mumbai and are going to loose heavily. I get NZ are punching above their weight in cricket, which is remarkable; but to suggest they're the No1 Test team in all conditions is absurd. Their spin bowling is woeful apart from a few competent players whereas their batting ( even with Williamson) is inept at facing spin.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
What in particular are you thinking about regarding those three Your Eminence?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
I'm thinking VVS Laxman, R Dravid and M E Waugh.
Micko
Roar Rookie
And where is bloody Wagner Zozza??? :shocked:
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Here is an interesting one, most wickets taken by players sharing the same surname, Patel for NZ and Patel for India, Laker with his 19 under threat , Patel 1 has 14 Patel 2 3 so far, needs to get 3 more and they beat Laker by 1 as a duo.
DB
Guest
Jamieson did top score!
DB
Guest
We know how this team performs in those places. They've won the last two series against Pakistan in the UAE, and drew against SL thumping them in the second test, despite having little to no warm-ups and rarely playing in the sub-continent. NZ batted really poorly in one innings, making double what India made against Australia in their poor batting display of that series. One innings doesn't take away how they've performed against India in the first test here, or in the subcontinent generally over the last 5-6 years. Also, you must know next to nothing about cricket if you think the ball doesn't swing in SA.
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
update from India: Spidercam is stuck just above the ground! So there will be an early tea with NZ at 1 for not much
Kim Hughes 1980
Roar Rookie
Meanwhile, over in India: India has declared leaving NZ 540 to win, and Sommerville, who bowls nude darts, has not taken a wicket in 2 tests.
Micko
Roar Rookie
When was that JD?