Race on for new keeper
A new Black Caps wicketkeeper is likely to be seen during the home series against Bangladesh, with Wellington’s Tom Blundell seemingly the frontrunner.
While BJ Watling has the test gloves nailed down, it’s a different story with the limited overs job. With Luke Ronchi struggling for runs against the white ball after being dropped in India, there is certainly a vacancy for a youngster in the New Zealand Twenty20 side and those three January matches against Bangladesh should see a new face in the black cap.
‘‘Possibly. It’s something Gav [selector Gavin Larsen] and I will talk about. We’ve got T20 and there’s an opportunity there. We’ve got a couple of experienced ones and we’ve got a few that are trying to find their way on the first-class scene,’’ coach Mike Hesson said.
Watling was hardly a roaring success in Australia after taking over from Ronchi. He scored six, 17 and eight and highlighted the need to have a gloveman who can lift the rate and clear the rope. He may well be retained for the three ODIs starting on Boxing Day but needs to rediscover some runs and show he can fit into the order, while veteran Ronchi probably can’t be counted out yet.
Blundell got the early nod as next cab off the rank with selection in the New Zealand A squad to face Pakistan. He flexed his batting muscle in the opening domestic Twenty20 round with an innings of 63 off 42 balls against Northern Districts.
Northern’s Tim Seifert, also a power hitter, will be in the selection frame, too, with the pair rated on a par in terms of glovework.
Hesson said there wouldn’t be too many more new faces in the home summer as they look to create some depth and examine players at international level.
Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was the new man in Australia while allrounder Colin de Grandhomme got his first ODI in four years, the latter underperforming with the bat like a few of his team-mates.
‘‘You’ve already seen plenty [of newcomers]. We’ve got to identify the right players and give them a number of opportunities,’’ Hesson said.