Durham Cricket is pleased to announce the signing of New Zealand left arm orthodox spinner Ajaz Patel.
Patel joins up with Durham ahead of next week’s LV=Insurance County Championship fixture against Yorkshire and will be available for a maximum of seven first-class games.
A proven international spinner with New Zealand, the 34-year-old has 48 Test wickets to his name which includes three five wicket hauls and one 10 for.
He became part of Test cricket history in 2021 when he took 10 wickets in an innings claiming 10-119 to bowl India out for 325, becoming the third bowler in Test history to take 10 wickets in an innings.
On his Test debut in 2018 he put in a Player of the Match performance to help the Black Caps to a thrilling 4 run win over Pakistan, as he bagged 5/59 in the second innings.
Patel boasts an impressive first-class record for Central Districts with 314 wickets from 88 games with 22 five-fors and 4 10 wickets hauls.
His spell with Durham will be his third in the County Championship having played for Yorkshire in 2019 while he picked up 14 wickets for Glamorgan last summer in 4 games.
On joining Durham, Ajaz Patel, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed county cricket every time I have had the opportunity to play and I am really excited and grateful to be joining Durham.
“I have heard a lot of great things about the club, can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in!”
Director of Cricket, Marcus North said: “We are excited to have secured the signing of another international spinner in Ajaz Patel.
“Ajaz is proven in international cricket with New Zealand and has performed successfully around the world.
“With the loss of Matt Kuhnemann, it was important that we brought in a spinner that will continue to strengthen and balance our red ball side, and with the addition of Ajaz this should enable us to continue to be effective in all conditions.”