New Zealand’s “horses-for-courses policy” has resulted in Ajaz Patel, who became only the third bowler to pick up all 10 wickets in an innings of international cricket in the team’s last Test outing, being dropped for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

Less than three weeks ago, left-arm spinner Ajaz stunned the world with his rare feat in the second test against India in Mumbai. But with the venues in the Bangladesh series — Mount Maunganui and Christchurch — likely to sport greener surfaces, the 33-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements.

“You do feel for Ajaz after his record-breaking display in India,” coach Gary Stead said in a statement. “However, we’ve always applied a horses-for-courses selection policy and believe the players selected best fit the way we want to take on Bangladesh here at home.”

Tom Latham will captain the team for an entire series for the first time in place of Kane Williamson, who suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury in India and will miss both Tests. Free-scoring opener Devon Conway returns to the squad after missing the 0-1 series loss in India.

Patel’s fight

Ajaz understands the logic behind his exclusion. “One of my things about being a spinner in New Zealand is to inspire another generation to take up the art,” Patel was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

“I’m still going to fight the fight to make sure spin bowling becomes part of the big picture in New Zealand cricket. I think my job as a spinner is showing the groundsmen that there’s something that is possible, and then it’s up to the groundsmen to turn and around and go, ‘Well, actually, we want to see some spin bowling in New Zealand’,” he added.