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 career-best 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 threeday 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.
There will be pressure on Blundell to perform with the bat and be tidy with his keeping, given Watling’s reliability in the middle order and strong understanding of the New Zealand attack.
Watling has kept in New Zealand’s last 21 tests, with the retired Luke Ronchi the last man to don the gloves in May 2015 against England in Leeds, when Watling played as a batsman due to knee bruising.
The 27-year-old Blundell has been around the Black Caps environment, featuring in a Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in January at Mt Maunganui, which he didn’t bat in.
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.
Right-arm speedster Ferguson, who has played seven ODIs and one T20 international, drew praise from Hesson, who said he was bowling superbly.
Ferguson has taken 19 Plunket Shield wickets from three matches at 17.57, including explosive match figures of 12-78 against Otago.
‘‘His performances have been exceptional in red ball and that’s probably where he feels most comfortable in terms of his role and what he does.
‘‘He’s certainly bowling as quick as I’ve seen him bowl in a while. He’s confident and bowling well and if the opportunity was to present itself [at the Basin], he’d be ready to go.’’