The former New Zealand off spinner Dipak Patel says Black Caps selection hasn't come easy for the Otago spinner Mark Craig.
Craig is one of two new caps named in the New Zealand cricket squad for the coming tour of the West Indies, alongside Wellington wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi, who's previously represented New Zealand in one dayers and Twenty 20 matches.
Craig's been given his opportunity with both Dan Vettori and Jeetan Patel unavailable.
Patel has coached Craig since he was seven, turning him from a medium pacer into a spinner when he was a teenager, and he's confident Craig is up to Test level.
Patel says Craig's highly rated by batsmen on the domestic scene.
