Mitchell Santner has endured a frustrating past few months after suffering a serious knee injury but the New Zealand all-rounder has been using his experience to guide his replacement Ajaz Patel for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan.
Santner still faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines as he continues his injury rehabilitation but the 26-year-old is remaining active in every possible capacity in New Zealand’s ongoing training camp for the tour of the UAE.
The left-arm orthodox spinner has been guiding the 29-year-old Patel who was handed his maiden Test call-up to the Blackcaps squad for the Pakistan clashes.
“I’m sharing those little things here and there, but I’m sure he’ll (Patel) pick it up pretty quick over there,” Santner told Newshub.
Patel, who has picked up 187 wickets in 44 first-class matches so far, was glad to receive tips from Santner with regards to the conditions in the UAE.
Patel was handed his maiden New Zealand call-up for the Test series.
“He (Santner) did speak a lot about how a lot of international spinners are bowling in the sub-continent, and around what they’re trying to do and what their game plans are,” Patel stated on his part.
“He’s been there, done that and seen it, so it’s quite cool to have that advice from him,” he added.
New Zealand’s tour of the UAE gets underway on October 31 with the first of the three T20s. The T20 clashes will be followed by three ODIs before the three-Test series commences on November 16 at Abu Dhabi.