For Axar Patel, Test cricket is proving to be a cakewalk. The left-arm spinner picked up his 5th five-wicket haul in just his 7th innings in Test cricket as he ran through New Zealand’s middle-order on Day 3 of the first Test of a 2-match series in Kanpur.
He became the joint second-fastest bowler in the history of Test cricket, getting there in one innings more than Rodney Hogg who got there in just 6 innings. Axar has tied the likes of Charlie Turner and Tom Richardson after the 5-wicket haul in Kanpur.
Axar also joined an elite list of bowlers with most 5-wicket hauls in their first 4 Test matches. He has equaled the feat of 5 Tom Richardson and Rodney Hogg who also had 5 5-wicket hauls in their first 4 Tess. Charlie Turner is on the top of the list with 6 5-wicket hauls in his first 4 Tests.
Axar had a remarkable start to his Test career as he picked up 27 wickets in 3 Tests in his debut series earlier this year against England at home. Axar proved to be a menace to the English batsmen who wilted under pressure from the left-arm spinner who played a crucial role in helping the team bounce back and win the 4-Test series 3-1.
Axar picked up his 5-wicket haul by getting Tim Southee with a ball that spun from middle to hit the top of off-stump.
Before the Tea break, Axar brought India back into the contest, removing Ross Taylor (11), Henry Nicholls (2) and opener Tom Lathan (95 off 282 balls) within a space of 13 runs to completely upset their rhythm.
