New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling announces retirement
BJ Watling is a wicketkeeper-batsman for New Zealand, having represented the side across formats. Aged 35, he is South African born and has scored more than 3,700 Test runs. He has had a low-profile limited-overs career and never played in the Indian Premier League.
FollowNew Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling has decided to hang up his boots from professional cricket. The upcoming tour of England by New Zealand would be the final outing by the 35-year-old South-African born Kiwi, which would include the two Tests against the host and the ICC World Test Championship final against India in Southampton.
"It's the right 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," he said in a release by New Zealand Cricket.
"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 made his New Zealand debut in 2009 in the limited-overs circuit but prolonged his career as a Test specialist, managing to score 3,773 in 73 Tests at an average of 38.11, including eight centuries and 19 half-centuries and has a top score of 205. He was also involved in the format's highest partnership for the sixth wicket (352 and 365).
"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," said David White, NZC CEO.
Watling has scored 3,381 as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the longest format, which is the most by any from the nation. He has also inflicted 257 dismissals, the most by any Kiwi wicketkeeper.
"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 New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.
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