Chris Rattue: Black Caps should consider playing Watling as batsman

Give BJ Watling the chance to become the best batsman he can be - that's some food for thought from Leeds.

In other words, the time has come to learn from the Brendon McCullum mistake. The blowtorch was taken off McCullum's batting because he was the wicketkeeper for so long. We will never know quite how good the immensely talented McCullum might have been with the blade. Duty behind the stumps also led to back problems, another lesson in evaluating Watling.

Watling and Corey Anderson's injuries have led to a fortunate reshuffle. Watling discarded the gloves to play as a batsman in the second test against England where, coming in at six, he became the first New Zealander to score a test century at Headingley.

Ronchi showed his potential, starring with the bat in the first innings and doing another good job in the second.

Watling is a fighter, a former opener who deserves maximum time to construct his innings. He already averages a touch over 40 but batting with the lower order produces forced situations that don't necessarily suit his game.

Playing Watling as a batsman now would mean losing the fill-in bowling of someone like Anderson or Jimmy Neesham, who average around eight overs an innings and snare one wicket or so per test. That could be a price worth paying if Watling produces big pay days with the bat. Kane Williamson can contribute a few more overs with his finger spinning.

Watling looks the future number four, when Ross Taylor retires, but it's worth debating whether to promote him as a batsman right now for what shapes as a rip-roaring series in Australia. Ronchi is a specialist wicketkeeper who knows Australian conditions, which might be worth a few wickets anyway.

Watling, a converted batsman, could be a sensational test runs machine so let's find out how good he can be. He is close to turning 30, and Ronchi is no spring chicken either.