Cricket: Bat Skills decider for next test keeper

Kruger van Wyk. Photo / Dean Purcell

What qualities do you want in your test wicketkeeper?

Simple question, but one which has become a major talking point after recent events surrounding the New Zealand team for the forthcoming home tests against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

More relevant right now is how much importance do you place on his batting abilities? Not so simple.

Had it not been for Brendan McCullum's decision to give up the test gloves this issue would most likely not have arisen.

However, since McCullum kept for the last time in a test in March 2010 against Australia in Hamilton - and coach/selector John Wright confirmed this week he won't be returning to the role, citing niggling knee and back injuries and a desire to prolong his international career without the ups and downs of the job behind the stumps - it has become a poisoned chalice.

Gareth Hopkins had three tests in India in 2010, to go with a debut at Nottingham two years earlier, then lost his place to Reece Young.

Young had two tests against Pakistan, one in Zimbabwe and two in Australia before Christmas. Now he's gone.

Either Northern Districts' BJ Watling or Central Districts' Kruger van Wyk will have their turn against Zimbabwe in Napier next week. It will make four keepers in the space of 10 tests.

That's one merry-go-round that needs stopping.

Young was unlucky. He averaged 24 over his tests, made one half century against Pakistan, but had a poor four innings against Australia at Brisbane and Hobart - two, 11 not out, 0 and nine - and dropped a regulation - and critical - catch at Brisbane.

Two of the three former New Zealand wicketkeepers canvassed for their views on the state of the keeping position - Ian Smith and Adam Parore - believe Young is still the best person for the job.

Did he deserve more time? Perhaps, and the judgment on him has been tough, but Wright is moving forward fast. He was not convinced Young had the right qualities for the position, so he's looking elsewhere.

When the New Zealand XI face Zimbabwe in Gisborne today, Watling will be keeping, van Wyk opening the batting. Van Wyk has been a regular first-class wicketkeeper for 10 years; Watling sits behind Peter McGlashan at ND and his chances are limited.

Their first-class batting averages are similar - Watling's 33 to van Wyk's 38 - although Watling has got his runs in the top order, van Wyk has made his around No 7 and is boosted by a large number of not outs.

One senior CD teammate recently made an interesting point about van Wyk's batting; he invariably makes runs when they are most needed. Coming in at 320 for five he may not be your man; at 100 for five he is, was the essence of the observation.

Wright wants good batting depth. Fair enough, but one aspect which becomes relevant is that the top six have not been doing their job well enough.

That is why a player like former captain Dan Vettori has become such a crucial figure coming in about No 7 or 8. It is also a key point about who should be keeping.

It is not necessarily right, but some time ago it became obvious around the globe that batting qualifications in choosing a keeper mattered, possibly more than they would if the batsmen were doing their work well.

The four leading teams all have wicketkeepers who have been, or are, sizeable contributors with the bat.

South Africa's Mark Boucher is coming towards the end of a fine career; Brad Haddin's longevity in the baggy green is also under the microscope; while England's Matt Prior and Indian captain MS Dhoni are weighty figures with the bat.

How long would those countries tolerate a test wicketkeeper averaging, say, 20 with the bat?

Chief among the requirements for whoever pulls on the big gloves in Napier next week will be getting runs.

The feeling is van Wyk is the superior keeper of the two, but that's no guarantee he will pull on a black cap next week. It could be Watling's job to lose.