By Harry Corish
Glamorgan Cricket has signed New Zealand slow left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel as an overseas player for the final four matches of the LV= County Championship season.
The spinner comes in for the departing Michael Neser, who has enjoyed another excellent season in the Welsh capital, taking 33 wickets at at 25.81 at the time of writing.
Glamorgan are still in with a chance of clinching promotion to division one. The Welsh county are just one point behind second placed Middlesex, with the top two counties in division two being promoted.
As the weather improves, county pitches have become dryer and in the majority conditions favour batting at this time of year. With the conditions, spinners can have a big impact like Washington Sundar has had in his debut for Lancashire, taking 5-76 against Northampton.
News from Cardiff this morning, Glamorgan have signed New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel as an overseas player for the final 4 matches of their 2022 LV= County Championship campaign ✈
— The County Cricket Podcast (@TheCountyCrick2) July 21, 2022
The 33-year-old Patel replaces seamer Michael Neser who will return to Australia to join Queensland before the start of the Sheffield Shield.
Patel has played 12 Test matches and taken 43 wickets at an average of 27. Last year he became only the 3rd player in Test match history to take all ten wickets in an innings when he claimed 10/119 against India in Mumbai.
He boasts an impressive overall first-class record, with 272 wickets from just 74 matches, which includes 19 five-wicket hauls.
It is hoped Patel can continue Glamorgan’s promotion push towards the end of the season. The experienced spinner is sure to make a big impact when he arrives.
Patel will be available for all the Welsh county’s first-class matches in September, starting with the fixture against Worcestershire on Monday, 5th September at Sophia Gardens.
https://twitter.com/nickwebb2017/status/1550044909847166976
On signing for September, Ajaz Patel, said: “ I really enjoyed my short spell in County Cricket in 2019 so when the opportunity arose to play again at Glamorgan I jumped at it.
“I can’t wait to get over to Wales and meet my new teammates and the support staff. Hopefully I can contribute to a successful end to the campaign.”
Director of Cricket, Mark Wallace, added: “Michael Neser has been absolutely brilliant for us this season, but we are delighted to replace him with someone of the quality of Ajaz.
“He is a high-class operator and proven match-winner who will give us variety and options in our attack and hopefully help our promotion push as we reach the back end of the season.”