Watling has big cup goal
He’s got the Black Caps’ test wicketkeeping berth locked down, but ODI cricket and a spot at next year’s World Cup, remain a big driver for B J Watling.
The 33-year-old starts his quest tonight towards the 50-over showpiece in England and Wales in around seven months’ time, by taking the park with New Zealand A in the first of three onedayers against Pakistan A in Abu Dhabi.
Watling is also in the Black Caps’ one-day squad for their three-game series in the UAE which follows, despite not having played an ODI for almost two years.
Tom Latham is the incumbent gloveman, but Watling’s inclusion suggests he’s still in the mix, albeit with the squads being selected by former coach Mike Hesson, who has now been succeeded by Gary Stead – a man Watling was on the panel to appoint.
While dashing strokemakers Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips have become the go-to Twenty20 keeping options, Latham’s solidity at No 5 has seen him take the 50-over duties since the retirement of Luke Ronchi, and now Watling is hoping to push his claims, either with or without the gloves.
‘‘I love playing one-day cricket, and I’m excited to get the opportunity,’’ he said.
‘‘Obviously, the goal is to try and be in that World Cup squad.
‘‘I would like to put my hand up for batting in the middle, mainly, and if the opportunity comes to keep then that’s great, otherwise I’ll still look to run around in the field and offer a lot in that department.’’ Despite a very good List A record – 118 games, average of 37.92, strike rate of 73.65, with 24 halfcenturies and eight centuries – Watling’s ODI record (27 matches, average 24.91, strike rate 68.37, five 50s) makes for much grimmer reading, having been shuffled around the order since a debut in 2010.
The main criticism of the nuggety right-hander is his lack of power hitting, so it’s finding boundary options, and ways to rotate the strike, which have been big focuses in an off-season where he had no cricket for six months.
‘‘So just making sure that I perform the role in the middle stages, and try and put some pressure on the boys that are currently holding their spots,’’ Watling said of the goal of a first world tournament of his career.
‘‘It would be awesome. It’s definitely always been a goal to play in a World Cup.
‘‘I know that it’s going to take a good summer of cricket from me.’’
And that will be done under the eye of new coach Stead, who Watling helped appoint.
‘‘I think the boys trusted me to get the players’ points of view across,’’ he said.