Blundell catches on to his opportunity

It was no stretch to picture Tom Blundell back at the Basin Reserve in a black cap on test debut in a fortnight as he clutched flying edges for fun.

With test incumbent BJ Watling still not keeping wicket for Northern Districts, and looking increasingly doubtful with a hip injury, Blundell’s reminder was at the right time in the right place.

The 27-year-old’s 10 catches, six of them in the second innings as Wellington skittled defending Plunket Shield champions Canterbury for 118 and 156, matched Chris Nevin in his province’s record books. Only Peter McGlashan, who snared 12 dismissals against Central Stags in Whangarei eight seasons ago, claimed more in a New Zealand first-class match.

To add the icing, Blundell was 14 not out when Wellington notched their fourth successive win, with two days to spare. He scored 43 not out in the Firebirds’ first innings of 159, and last season averaged 54.66 across their 10-match shield campaign.

Watling’s main fitness test happens next Friday and if he can’t keep for ND against Otago, it’s difficult to see Blundell pipped for the wicketkeeper’s berth against West Indies on December 1.

‘‘Absolutely. He’s ready to go. He’s got real skill with the gloves and with the bat and he’s served a good apprenticeship and it’s just about taking that opportunity when it comes and saying ‘right, it’s mine’,’’ said Wellington coach Bruce Edgar.

Blundell played one Twenty20 international, against Bangladesh last summer, but is ranked behind Tom Latham (ODI) and Glenn Phillips (T20) in the Black Caps limited overs ranks. ND’s Tim Seifert remains in the frame too, but Blundell’s selection in the New Zealand A side for next Saturday’s West Indies tour opener at Lincoln told a story.