Patel’s last appearance in whites was against India at the Wankhede Stadium, where he produced a player of the match performance picking 11 wickets, which helped the Blackcaps complete a historic 3-0 whitewash.
The third Test could be Patel’s first Test match on home soil since February 2020, if he were to make it to the final XI.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter while speaking about the spinner’s selection said, “Ajaz is someone we can trust to come in and do a job if required.
“Bay Oval, as we know, has typically taken more turn than other surfaces around New Zealand, and the fact he turns the ball away from the right-hander is very appealing.
“Taking another spinner into the third Test also gives a bit more variance in our bowling attack, along with our seamers who have been doing a great job thus far this series.”