The Kiwi Keeper
"He epitomises everything we are about as a team, the team-first attitude, being a guy that scraps and fights for everything, he's led that all the way from the start. He'll be sorely missed in this team," said Kiwi pacer Neil Wagner on his fellow teammate Bradley John Watling. New Zealand players decided that BJ would be keeping the Mace in the two-week quarantine with him on reaching their homeland. He and New Zealand, very deservingly, won that Mace by beating the mighty Indian team in the Final. He finished his illustrious career on a high, reaching the pinnacle and ending the BlackCaps' long wait for an ICC Trophy.
Although his batting career ended with Shami castling him with a beauty, but then came another moment which showed his dedication towards this team and the game. Inspite of dislocating his finger, he didn't leave the field during the first session of the 6th day of the Test to ensure that New Zealand get the opposition packed up early.
Arguably New Zealand's best ever Test wicketkeeper was born in Durban, South Africa but shifted to New Zealand as a ten-year-old. He started his career as a specialist opener, but it changed soon. Since his debut, nobody has scored more runs than him in 6-8 position. If I asked you to name some of his best Test innings, you would struggle to answer me. I wouldn't blame you. None of his innings have been legendary, which should be remembered in the golden history of this beautiful sport. But still, time and again, he was the one who saved Kiwis from position of strife to comfortable ones. He is one of those silent accumulators who could play long marathon innings without any exquisite shots played!
What did he do? He would usually avoid any expansive drives, waiting for the bowler to make an error and capitalising on them, often pulling or cutting.
Watling during his 205 vs ENG, 2019 (pic credit- @icc)There have been numerous instances where New Zealand, stuck in a tricky position, were rescued by their "crisis man" Watling. Avoiding any risky shots and forming frustrating partnerships with tailenders was like bread and butter for Watling over the years. Some of his innings, with mentions of his entry point and dismissal point-
27/4 to 121/10- Watling scored 63 vs SA, 2013
84/4 to 203/7- Watling scored 63 vs SA, 2013
89/5 to 239/8- Watling scored 60 vs ENG, 2013
94/5 to 446/5- Watling scored 124 vs IND, 2014
121/4 to 331/10- Watling scored 66 vs WI, 2014
12/3 to 168/6- Watling scored 59 vs ENG, 2015
17/4 to 226/7- Watling scored 85 vs ENG, 2018
72/4 to 284/10- Watling scored 77 vs PAK, 2018
81/4 to 224/8- Watling scored 77 vs SL, 2019
Apart from his knack of arresting the crisis, he also was a premium wicketkeeper. Sound technique ensured that he had safe hands and had very high success rate. Since January 2018, he has allowed byes just 2.2 times a match, which is 2.4 for Dickwella, 3.3 for Paine and 4.2 for Pant in the same period. Watling caught 73 catches off Southee's bowling which is highest for a New Zealand bowler-keeper pair! He is one of the eight wicket-keepers in Test history to have a dismissal rate higher than 2!
The New Zealand team hasn't been the most popular ones in world cricket. As a result, people underappreciate their performance. Yes, their stats have some holes but those are beyond their control. If Latham is the dependable opener, Kane is the engine of the batting line-up, Ross is the cool aggressor, then Watling was the silent accumulator, always turning up in crisis and will always be remembered for that!
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