DURHAM have completed the signing of New Zealand left-arm orthodox spinner Ajaz Patel.

Patel, who will join up with the Durham squad ahead of next week’s LV=Insurance County Championship fixture against Yorkshire, replaces Australian left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who was forced to cut short his spell in the North-East last week after sustaining a back injury.

A proven international spinner with New Zealand, Patel will be available for a maximum of seven first-class games.

The 34-year-old has 48 Test wickets to his name, a tally that includes three five wicket hauls and one ten-wicket performance.

He became part of Test cricket history in 2021 when he took ten wickets in an innings, posting figures of 10-119 to bowl India out for 325. In the process, he became the third bowler in Test history to take all ten wickets in an innings.

On his Test debut in 2018, Patel put in a Player of the Match performance to help the Black Caps to a thrilling four-run win over Pakistan as he claimed figures of 5-59 in the second innings.

Patel boasts an impressive first-class record for Central Districts, with 314 wickets from 88 games. His first-class record features 22 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket performances.

His spell with Durham will be his third in the County Championship as he previously played for Yorkshire in 2019 and represented Glamorgan last summer, picking up 14 wickets over the course of four matches.

Speaking ahead of his arrival at Durham, Patel said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed county cricket every time I have had the opportunity to play and I am really excited and grateful to be joining Durham.

“I have heard a lot of great things about the club, can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in."

Durham director of cricket Marcus North is delighted to have been able to sign a player of Patel's calibre to replace Kuhnemann, and is hoping the spinner will help his new side maintain their strong start to the season.

North said: "We are excited to have secured the signing of another international spinner in Ajaz Patel.

“Ajaz is proven in international cricket with New Zealand and has performed successfully around the world.

"With the loss of Matt Kuhnemann, it was important that we brought in a spinner that will continue to strengthen and balance our red ball side.

"With the addition of Ajaz, this should enable us to continue to be effective in all conditions.”