BJ Watling has put himself in contention for selection in the second Test match against the Windies, as the wicketkeeper-batsman is all set to don gloves in domestic competition, thus putting his name forward for the job.

Watling, who got selected in the squad for the two-Test match series, was later ruled out after he failed to recover from the hip injury which he suffered during domestic competition. The reports had suggested that he might play as a batsman in the first Test, but injury ruled him out of the series.

(Read Here: India squad for the third Test, ODI series against Sri Lanka)

NZ vs WI 2017/18: BJ Watling to Keep Wickets in Domestic Cricket, Could Return for 2nd Test 2 — (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Tom Blundell, his replacement, is all set to make his Test debut in the first Test that starts on December 1 but if Watling proves his fitness before the second Test, Blundell might have to leave the spot for the senior player. However, a good performance in his debut game can see him retaining his place.

Watling has to prove his fitness in the domestic competition behind the wickets to make a case for the second Test match.

(Read Here: Four baffling decisions made by selectors during selection)

NZ vs WI 2017/18: BJ Watling to Keep Wickets in Domestic Cricket, Could Return for 2nd Test 3 — Tim Southee

In another update, it has been confirmed that Tim Southee will miss the opening Test, as he is expecting the birth of his first child. The selectors had already drafted in Lockie Ferguson, as his cover but now, they have called in George Worker as a replacement of Southee as well.

“Matt Henry did well in the last Test match he played against South Africa and Lockie is probably bowling as well as he ever has so it certainly provides us with some nice options. It just depends what we want to go with – whether we want to go with extra pace (in Ferguson) or whether we think it’s going to nip around about and we want someone with Matt’s control,” Mike Hesson, New Zealand’s coach said.

The first Test of the two-match series starts on December 1 at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The last Test will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton. A three-match ODI and T20I series will follow the Test series.

Also Read: (NZ vs WI 2017/18: Darren Sammy Predicts 1-1 Scoreline for the Test Serie s)

(NZ vs WI 2017: Tom Blundell Replaces BJ Watling, Lockie Ferguson Added as Backup For Tests)

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