Blundell to continue in Hamilton
Continued concern around BJ Watling’s hip injury means there will be no awkward conversations to be had with brilliant Black Caps debutant Tom Blundell.
Watling is expected to be ruled out of the second cricket test against West Indies in Hamilton on Saturday, when coach Mike Hesson confirms the squad this morning.
Blundell, who was composed and looked the part as the 11th New Zealand test debutant to score a century in Wellington, will get another chance with the gloves after replacing Watling last week. Then it gets tricky for the selectors for the next test, the day-nighter against England in Auckland starting on March 22.
Watling, 32, has 52 tests to his name and began the season undisputed as the test wicketkeeper. But this hip problem is a worry and saw him hand over the gloves for Northern Districts’ last five matches, after keeping in ND’s season opener.
With Tim Seifert keeping wicket, Watling opened in the Ford Trophy
on Sunday, scoring 115 in their win over Wellington. Batting and fielding is no problem, but crouching in a wicketkeeper’s stance remains an issue.
‘‘He got a hundred yesterday and played really well and cramped up and got run out which is worth a look on YouTube,’’ captain Kane Williamson quipped.
‘‘BJ has been a world class player for us for a number of years and is obviously battling with a few niggles at the moment. We’re monitoring his progress.’’
Loyalty is a big thing for Hesson, as seen when Matt Henry was preferred to the in-form speedster Lockie Ferguson in New Zealand’s innings and 67 run win in the first test. But if Blundell, 27, continues to plunder runs and maintain his high standards with the gloves, Watling’s position should be under scrutiny if the niggles remain.
‘‘He [Blundell] was brilliant throughout, to play a knock like he did,’’ said Williamson of Blundell’s 107 not out. ‘‘In your first test there’s always pressure and a few nerves, but to take the game that much further, get under way and pick up the run rate with the lower order… he’s a mature guy and played a lot of cricket. It was great having him in the group.’’
The Black Caps wicketkeeper’s berth will continue to be a hot topic after Hamilton, too, with 13 one-day internationals and 10 Twenty20s to be played before the England tests.
Tom Latham is the ODI incumbent while Glenn Phillips did the last two T20s in India. Blundell’s calm showing in Wellington, and his batting ability, should ensure he gets some ODI and T20 chances too.
They say never change a winning team but there will be at least one in Hamilton, with Tim Southee back from paternity leave. He will slot back in for Henry.