NZ vs AFG: The New Zealand left-arm orthodox bowler has claimed that he is all excited to have Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath in his team and anticipates learning a lot from him.
Ajaz claimed recently that he had seen Rangana Herath, who is almost of the same build as his, while developing his bowling in all of his playing years. Herath has emerged as one of the finest Sri Lankan players in the longest format of the game, as he went past many greats like Shaun Pollock and Richard Hadlee to claim 433 wickets in the format.
He is also Sri Lanka’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format. Now, Herath has been claimed to be included as New Zealand’s spin bowling coach for the Asian tour, as they first take on Afghanistan in a one-off test at Greater Noida and later a series against India.
Alongside Vikram Rathour, who has been placed to be their assistant coach alongside Jacob Oram, for the India tour. However, Rangana Herath will be an asset for the New Zealand team, who have a bunch of spinners.
The New Zealand spin department will be led by Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, two of the nation’s frontline spinners, and both are slow left-arm orthodox bowlers, much resembling the new coach Herath.
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Also, the likes of part-time spinners like Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips are seen in the Kiwi shirts, who will have to learn a lot from the ace subcontinent spinner. Ajaz, who has been a part of the New Zealand team for 16 red-ball matches, will lead to be one of the best to be the prime threat for Afghanistan as well as the Indian team, who are now struggling against spin.
