New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday (May 11) announced that wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling will bid adieu to international cricket after the upcoming tour of England.
Having made his international debut in 2009, Watling has represented New Zealand in 73 Tests, 28 ODIs and 5 T20Is. In particular, he has established himself as a world-class wicket-keeper batsman in the longest format, scoring 3773 runs at an average of 38.11 with 8 centuries.
With this decision, Watling will not be included in the central contracts of Kiwi cricketers for the 2021-22 season due to be released on Friday (May 14).
The 35-year-old had been pondering his options for a while, but settled on his decision to retire at the end of the just-completed home summer.
"It's the right time," said Watling, who has 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. Sitting in the changing rooms having a beer with the team after five days' toil is what I'll miss the most. I've played with some great players and made many good mates. I've also had plenty of help along the way for which I'll always be grateful," he added.
Talking about Tests against England and the WTC final against India, Watling said: "Although I've had to make this announcement ahead of the tour to England, my focus is very much on the three Tests ahead and preparing to perform in them."
"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," he added.
Watling holds the New Zealand Test dismissals record with 249 catches (excluding 10 as a fielder) and eight stumpings - the best numbers of any current Test keepers.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead paid homage to his team’s reliable man behind the stumps.
"BJ is a wonderful player and a great bloke. He works really hard on his game to get improvements and always puts the team first. You just have to look at the respect he's held in by his teammates and the opposition to appreciate his standing in the game," said Stead.
"The records speak for themselves and he's been such a crucial cog in the Test team's rise over the past decade. That double hundred he scored at the Mount in 2019 was one of the best innings I've ever seen and epitomised BJ Watling as a player, really," he added.
If Watling features in all three Tests on the upcoming tour, two against England (June 2-6 and 10-14) and the ICC WTC final against India (June 18-22), he will overtake Adam Parore's record of most Tests appearance (67) as a New Zealand keeper.
(With NZC inputs)
