New Zealand vs South Africa 2017: 1st Test, 5 talking points

#1 Jeetan Patel vs Mitchell Santner

Patel put in an exceptional performance in the first Test

The comeback of 34-year-old Jeetan Patel has New Zealand pondering on the inclusion of Mitchell Santner, their all-round spinner. Santner has barely contributed with the bat and despite being tidy with the ball, remained in the shadows of Patel in the first Test.

Jeetan Patel, meanwhile, enjoyed yet another great comeback to the Test side and bowled with great control on a slow wicket. He kept the dangerous Proteas keeper, Quinton de Kock, silent in both innings with his guile and dismissed him both times. With South Africa having a further two left-handed batsmen in the top six, New Zealand will be tempted to keep Patel going.

In Wellington, the venue of the second Test, the ball isn't expected to turn much and playing two spinners may not be a wise decision. Southee was forced to sit out for a spinner in Dunedin, but a quicker pitch will put him back in the reckoning.