Watling to hang up gloves

Record-breaking wicketkeeper BJ Watling will retire from all cricket following the Black Caps’ tour of England in June.

With the Black Caps’ contracts for the 2021-22 season to be released on Friday, in which Watling will not be included due to his future unavailability, his retirement news had been expedited.

The Northern Districts gloveman had been pondering his options for a while, but settled on his decision to retire at the end of the just-completed home summer.

Watling, 35, will call time on a decorated career, finishing as New Zealand’s record-holder for test wicketkeeping dismissals (currently 257) and catches (249), which exclude 10 as a fielder. He also has eight test stumpings.

Watling has played 73 tests and also represented New Zealand in 28 ODIS (2010-18) and five T20IS (2009-14).

A test opener at the start of his career, Watling shifted down the order in 2012 against Zimbabwe in Napier, when he was wicketkeeping. He scored a maiden test ton (102 not out) and has gone on to keep in 65 of his 73 tests to date.

He has scored 3773 test runs at 38.11 with eight hundreds and 19 half-centuries. His highest test score of 205 came against England at Mount Maunganui in November 2019 – after New Zealand had been 127-4 in their first innings.

Two away tests against England at Lord’s (June 2-6) and Edgbaston (June 10-14) followed by the inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton (June 18-22) would be a fitting way to finish.

‘‘It’s the right time,’’ said Watling, who recently become a father for the second time.

‘‘It’s been a huge honour to represent New Zealand and in particular wear the test baggy. Test cricket really is the pinnacle of the game and I’ve loved every minute of being out there in the whites with the boys.’’

Watling thanked wife Jess, who had been a constant source of stability and support throughout his long career. He spent his early years in Durban, South Africa, before moving to New Zealand as a 10-year-old with his family.

‘‘I’m certainly looking forward to being able to spend more time with [Jess] and the kids. I also owe a big thanks to my mum for steering me in the right direction early on and always being there for me.

‘‘Although I’ve had to make this announcement ahead of the tour to England, my focus is very much on the three tests ahead.

‘‘This tour will be a challenge on a few levels and we know as a team we will need to be at the very top of our game if we want to succeed.’’

Watling’s bowler-keeper catching combinations with Tim Southee (73), Trent Boult (55), and Neil Wagner (53) occupy the top three spots on the New Zealand record list.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said Watling would be remembered for the tremendous courage and determination he brought to the game, especially when the chips were down.

‘‘BJ turned games around. I can’t think of another player who reacted so positively, and who was successful in the face of adversity.

‘‘His ability to wring every possible run out of the tail was unmatched – his work behind the stumps tireless and efficient.

‘‘He has a quiet, unassuming, and undemonstrative manner that belies the huge appetite he has for the contest and the challenge.’’

Black Caps coach Gary Stead described Watling as New Zealand’s ‘Mr Dependable’ behind the stumps and with the bat in the middle order.

‘‘BJ is a wonderful player and a great bloke,’’ Stead said. ‘‘He works really hard on his game to get improvements and always puts the team first.

‘‘The records speak for themselves and he’s been such a crucial cog in the test team’s rise over the past decade.’’

Stead labelled Watling’s double ton against England in 2019 as one of the best innings he had witnessed. That gritty innings summed him up.

‘‘The attitude and fight he brings to every day and every session of a test is what has made him such a valued member of the Black Caps. He is without a doubt one of our best ever wicketkeeperbatsmen.’’

Watling played his entire domestic career for Northern Districts, featuring in 91 first-class matches, 62 T20 games and 90 List A fixtures for the major association.