Hesson: Blundell ready to deliver

Known for his aggressive batting, it’s Tom Blundell’s ability to grind out runs when the going gets tough that most impresses Black Caps coach Mike Hesson.

The Wellington gloveman is set for a test debut at his Basin Reserve home, having been confirmed as wicketkeeper for the first test against the West Indies, starting on Friday.

He might not be the only one getting a New Zealand test cap for the first time with Auckland quick Lockie Ferguson added to the 13-man squad yesterday, with Hesson labelling him in careerbest form.

With experienced paceman Tim Southee’s partner due to give birth any day, Ferguson could charge into the playing XI, fresh off a 7-91 match haul for New Zealand A in a three-day outing against the West Indies at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

Blundell’s opportunity comes about with test keeper BJ Watling, who has been a fixture behind the stumps, ruled out after not being able to overcome a hip injury, which hasn’t allowed him to keep for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield.

Hesson backed Blundell to make an impact at the Basin and said he deserved his chance with consistent glovework and impressive batting at Plunket Shield level over the past two seasons.

‘‘He’s showed over the end of last year and the start of this year that he’s probably the most consistent gloveman behind BJ in the country at the moment. Going into a test match, that’s the priority,’’ Hesson said.

‘‘He’s equally comfortable standing back, as he is up [by the stumps]. He’s becoming experienced and knows his own game.’’

Blundell pushed his test claim, taking 10 catches in a recent Plunket Shield outing against Canterbury at the Basin, six of them in the second inning. He has been solid with the bat, amassing 182 runs from six innings at 60.66, with a highest score of 43 not out.

That followed on from an excellent four-day campaign last summer, where he notched 656 runs at 54.66, and 761 at 44.76 during the 2015-16 season.