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Left-arm orthodox spinner Ajaz Patel has been selected for New Zealand's final cricket test of the three-match series against the West Indies starting on Thursday in Mt Maunganui

Left-arm orthodox spinner Ajaz Patel has been selected for New Zealand's final cricket test of the three-match series against the West Indies starting on Thursday in Mt Maunganui

15 December 2025

He replaces the injured Blair Tickner.

Patel is looking to play his fourth match - and take his first wickets - at home - he last featured in February 2020.

The most recent test of 21 came in the November 2024 win against India at Mumbai where figures of 11 for 160 earned him player-of-the-match in the 3-nil series victory.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell also returns in place of Mitch Hay, after recovering from a hamstring tear.

Kyle Jamieson has been overlooked again in favour of rehabilitation - the last of his 19 caps came in February 2024.

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Other Upper North Island News

30 Jan: Recovery operations appear to be back underway in Tauranga, although caution remains paramount

30 Jan: The Tauranga community's joined together in a show of support for whanau who've lost loved ones, a week after landslides in the area

28 Jan: The first victim of the Mount landslide's been formally identified by the Coroner as Max Furse-Kee

28 Jan: Do trees prevent landslides? What science says about roots, rainfall and stability

28 Jan: Tauranga's Mayor says a community gathering will be held tomorrow - to acknowledge last week's tragic landslide at Mount Maunganui

26 Jan: Prime Minister Chris Luxon joined the Mount Maunganui community last night, paying tribute to those presumed dead in Thursday's slip

26 Jan: A determination from emergency services to continue the recovery at Mount Maunganui as soon as possible

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