AUCKLAND (New Zealand): New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling will retire from all cricket following next month’s World Test Championship final against India in England.
The 35-year-old will call time on a career of 73 Tests and 28 one-day internationals following a two-match Test series against England and he inaugural WTC final at Hampshire’s Southampton headquarters.
“The time is right,” said Watling in a New Zealand cricket statement issued on Wednesday. “It’s been a huge honour to represent New Zealand and in particular wear the Test baggy.”
South Africa-born Watling, who moved to New Zealand as a 10-year-old, has taken 259 catches and completed eight stumpings in Tests, as well as being an effective batsman with 3,773 runs at an average of over 38, including eight hundreds, in the five-day game.
But Watling, who recently became a father for the second time, said bowing out next month was the correct decision.
“It’s the right time,” he said. “It’s been a huge honour to represent New Zealand and in particular wear the Test baggy (cap).
“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 added: “Sitting in the changing rooms having a beer with the team after five days’ toil is what I’ll miss the most.”
Watling is just the ninth Test keeper to score a double hundred, and first to do so against England after his knock helped win a dramatic Test against England at Bay Oval in November 2019.
